BankWest Awards $48,000 in Scholarships to Area Students
BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 24 BankWest Scholarships to outstanding students across South Dakota for the 2026-27 school year.
BankWest Awards $48,000 in Scholarships to Area Students
BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 24 BankWest Scholarships to outstanding students across South Dakota for the 2026-27 school year.
BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 24 BankWest Scholarships to outstanding students across South Dakota for the 2026-27 school year. Each student will receive a $2,000 scholarship to pursue post-secondary education at a school of their choice. “These students represent the future of our communities,” Burke said. “They demonstrate leadership, perseverance, and a genuine desire to give back. We are proud to support their educational journeys and invest in the next generation of professionals who will strengthen South Dakota.”
BankWest has awarded $676,500 in academic scholarships during the past 33 years. BankWest Scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership, work ethic, and community involvement among student account holders. Students receiving $2,000 BankWest Scholarships include:
Landon Berg, son of Bob and Heidi Berg of Emery, just graduated from Bridgewater-Emery High School. He plans to attend Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, where he will study animal science with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.
Madison Bradberry, daughter of Kevin and Christy Bradberry of Onida, just graduated from Sully Buttes High School. She plans to attend Northern State University in Aberdeen, where she will study nursing.
Mallory Gant, daughter of Jason Gant of Geddes and Christina Gant of Sioux Falls, just graduated from Platte-Geddes High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, majoring in agricultural business and accounting.
Caysen Gran, daughter of Charlie and Stacie Gran of Kennebec, just finished her sophomore year at the University of Wyoming. She is studying animal science with a pre-veterinary emphasis and a minor in agricultural business.
Addison Heenan, daughter of Casey and Kari Heenan of Winner, just graduated from Winner High School. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota, where she will study nursing.
Kathryn Hostler, daughter of Holly and Calvin Frederick of Pierre and Cody Hostler of Pierre, just graduated from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend Northern State University to pursue a career as a neonatal nurse practitioner.
Sophia Huber, daughter of Ryan and Anne Huber of Mitchell, just graduated from Mitchell High School. She plans to attend the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, majoring in biology with plans to become an optometrist.
Chesney Kalda, daughter of John Wayne and Jill Kalda of Pierre, just finished her freshman year at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown. She is majoring in entrepreneurship and business.
Cadence Konechne, daughter of Kelly and Kayla Konechne of Kimball, just graduated from Kimball High School. She is planning to attend the University of Notre Dame, where she will major in political science with plans to attend law school.
Brynlee Landis, daughter of Justin and Brandi Landis of Colman, just graduated from Colman-Egan High School. She plans to attend Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, to study pre-law while continuing her basketball career.
Caleb Morris, son of Mark Morris and Krista Miller of Pierre, just graduated from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School. He plans to attend South Dakota State University to study civil engineering.
Cayden Morris, son of Mark Morris and Krista Miller of Pierre, just finished his freshman year at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he is majoring in civil engineering.
Madisyn Nemecek, daughter of Jeff and Becca Nemecek of Kadoka, just graduated from Kadoka Area High School. She plans to attend Dakota State University in Madison, majoring in exercise science.
Olivia Olson, daughter of Ryan and Kim Olson of Onida, just finished her freshman year at Creighton University. She is majoring in exercise science on a pre-dental track.
Jordan Platt, son of Deborah and Richard Platt of Mitchell, just graduated from Mitchell High School. He plans to attend Black Hills State University in Spearfish, majoring in elementary education.
Olivia Prunty, daughter of John and Melissa Prunty of Mitchell, just graduated from Mitchell High School. She plans to attend Dakota Wesleyan University, where she will study nursing.
Harper Reichling, daughter of Kyle and Wren Hollingsworth of Fort Pierre, just graduated from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in political science.
Brock Russell, son of Allison Russell of Mitchell, just finished his freshman year at the University of South Dakota, where he is majoring in finance.
Brianna Sargent, daughter of Doug and Trish Sargent of Pierre, just graduated from Stanley County High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University to study social work.
Caden Schwader, son of Dale and Kristi Schwader of Howard, just graduated from Howard High School. He plans to attend the University of South Dakota, majoring in business administration.
Brianna Solano, daughter of Michele and Michael Solano of Rapid City, just graduated from St. Thomas More High School. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in biology on a pre-med track.
Jacoby Taylor, son of Marc and Angie Taylor of Pierre, just graduated from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School. He plans to attend Lake Area Technical College in Watertown to study building trades technology.
Jaden VanPelt, daughter of Wayne and Lisa Stoebner of Tripp, just finished her sophomore year at the University of South Dakota, where she is majoring in communication sciences and disorders.
Kambyl Wede, daughter of Jason and Tressa Wede of Mitchell, just graduated from Mitchell High School. She plans on attending Augustana University to pursue an education degree.