BankWest Awards 24 Scholarships to Area Students
BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 24 BankWest Scholarships to students from across South Dakota for the 2025-26 school year.
BankWest Awards 24 Scholarships to Area Students
BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 24 BankWest Scholarships to students from across South Dakota for the 2025-26 school year.
BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 24 BankWest Scholarships to students from across South Dakota for the 2025-26 school year. Students will receive a $2,000 scholarship to pursue post-secondary education at a school of their choice.
"Each scholarship we award at BankWest represents more than financial support—it's our commitment to nurturing the extraordinary talent right here in our communities," Burke said. "These remarkable students combine academic achievement with genuine dedication to community service, embodying the values that make South Dakota strong. By investing in their education today, we're helping build a foundation for innovation and leadership that will benefit our region for generations to come."
BankWest has awarded $628,500 in academic scholarships during the past 32 years. Burke said 77 students applied for this year’s scholarships. The BankWest Scholarship program recognizes outstanding achievement by student account holders at BankWest. Students receiving $2,000 BankWest Scholarships include:
- Rowdy Baldwin, son of Jason and Deide Baldwin of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. He plans to attend one of the US Military Academies, where he will study mechanical engineering.
- Trinity Bietz, daughter of Jason and Jennifer Bietz of Scotland, is a senior at Scotland High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University, where she will study animal science.
- Brindy Bolander, daughter of Sheri and Danny Bolander of Winner, is a junior at South Dakota State University, where she is studying wildlife and fisheries sciences.
- Colton Brady, son of Amy and Brian Brady of Pierre, is a senior at Stanley County High School. He plans to attend Dakota Wesleyan University, where he will study elementary education and exercise science.
- Josie Brouwer, daughter of Heath and Jessica Brouwer of Armour, is a senior at Dakota Christian High School. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota, where she will study dental hygiene.
- Ava Craven, daughter of Katie and Aric Craven of Winner, is a senior at Winner High School. She plans to attend Augustana University, where she will study biology/pre-physical therapy.
- Jesse Eldridge, son of Matt and Amy Eldridge of Pierre, is a senior at Pierre T.F. Riggs High School. He plans to attend South Dakota State University, where he will study electrical engineering.
- Lillyan Fechner, daughter of Darren and Heather Fechner of Delmont, is a senior at Armour High School. She plans to attend Mitchell Technical College, where she will study nursing.
- Lainee Forst, daughter of Nick and Jill Forst of Mitchell, is a senior at Mitchell High School. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she will study exercise science and nutrition.
- Reese Hand, daughter of Michael and Michelle Hand of Hayes/Fort Pierre, is a senior at Stanley County High School. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota and Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, where she will study health sciences and diagnostic medical sonography.
- Kellen Hansen, son of Kelly and Laura Hansen of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. He plans to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, where he will study agricultural and biosystems engineering.
- Savanah Hendricks, daughter of Diana and Travis Hendricks of Vivian, is a freshman at South Dakota State University, where she is studying criminology.
- Josey Hubner, daughter of Jesse and Jaimie Hubner of Glenham, is a senior at Selby Area School. She plans to attend University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, where she will study speech pathology or physical therapy.
- Brylee Kafka, daughter of Jeannie and Kyle Kafka of Fort Pierre, is a senior at Stanley County High School. She plans to attend Aurora University in Aurora, IL, where she will study accounting.
- Amber Kohlenberg, daughter of Scott and Nora Kohlenberg of Mitchell, is a senior at Mitchell High School. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota, where she will study criminal justice.
- Spencer Sargent, son of Doug and Trish Sargent of Pierre, is a senior at Stanley County High School. He plans to attend Lake Area Technical College where he plans to study to become an occupational therapy assistant.
- Marlee Shorter, daughter of Monty and Kelcey Shorter of Pierre, is a junior at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, where she is studying business administration.
- Tessa Sieh, daughter of Brian Sieh of Winner and the late Ashley Tofteland, is a senior at Winner High School. She plans to attend Northern State University, where she will study nursing.
- Emerson Smith, daughter of Adam and Jody Smith of Mitchell, is a senior at Mitchell High School. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota, where she will study medical biology.
- Riley Spaans, son of Jay and Angela Spaans of Armour, is a senior at Armour High School. He plans to attend Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, where he will study plumbing and HVAC.
- Kailey Wallman, daughter of Brock and Tara Wallman of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend Northern State University, where she will study elementary education.
- Nicole Weiss, daughter of Lynette and Eric Weiss of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University, where she will study human biology.
- Brady Wilson, son of Mark and Jodi Wilson of Mitchell, attends Augustana University, where he is studying exercise science and business administration.
- Adriana Young, daughter of Beth and Juaton Young of Rapid City, is a sophomore at Stanford University, where she is studying comparative studies in race and ethnicity (CSRE) with a double major in film and media studies.