BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 22 BankWest Scholarships to students from across South Dakota for the 2024-25 school year. Students will each receive a $1,500 scholarship to pursue post-secondary education at a school of their choice. Three of these students are from Rapid City.
“Through our scholarship program, we’re not only providing financial assistance but also affirming our belief in the recipients’ potential to lead and innovate,” Burke said. “These students embody excellence and commitment, and it’s both a privilege and a joy to stand beside them as they pave the way for tomorrow.”
BankWest has awarded $580,500 in academic scholarships during the past 31 years. Burke said 62 students applied for this year’s scholarships. The BankWest Scholarship program recognizes outstanding achievement by student account holders at BankWest.
Rapid City Students receiving $1,500 BankWest Scholarships include:
- Megan Baloun, daughter of Bryan and Jennifer Baloun of Rapid City, is a sophomore at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE, where she is studying business administration.
- Landen Matkins, son of Jennifer and James Matkins of Rapid City, is a senior at Stevens High School. He plans to attend South Dakota State University, where he will study bioengineering.
- Macy Stephens, daughter of Corrie and Angie Stephens of Rapid City, is a freshman at the University of Mary, where she is studying exercise science (pre-physical therapy).
Other scholarship recipients from across the state:
- Leila Balsiger, daughter of Nelle and Jon Schlomer of Winner and and Ghiwa Zeineddine of Omaha, NE, is a senior at Winner High School. She plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, where she will study biology with an emphasis in pre-med.
- Quinton Berg, son of Bob and Heidi Berg of Emery, is a senior at Bridgewater-Emery High School. He plans to attend Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS to study agricultural business.
- Eden duRandt, daughter of Summer and Louis duRandt of Madison, is a senior at Madison High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University, where she will study business economics.
- Raylee Fagerhaug, daughter of Kari Fagerhaug of Wessington Springs, is a senior at Wessington Springs High School. She plans to attend Black Hills State University, where she will study business administration.
- Nicolette Hoffman, daughter of Nicholas and Donnelle Hoffman of Armour, is a senior at Armour High School. She plans to attend Dakota Wesleyan University where she will study psychology.
- Maxwell Johnson, son of Dusty and Jacquelyn Johnson of Mitchell, is a senior at Mitchell High School. He plans to attend South Dakota State University, where he will study English and Spanish.
- Abigail Kropp, daughter of Amy and Steven Kropp of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska Kerney, where she will study chiropractic medicine.
- Erin Leiferman, daughter of Bobbie and Scott Leiferman of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend Augustana University, where she will study nursing/midwifery.
- Emily Moody, daughter of Josh and Sally Moody of Mitchell, is a freshman at Mount Marty University, where she is studying exercise science (pre-physical therapy).
- Andrea Mosteller, daughter of Chad and Katrina Mosteller of Pierre, is a senior at T.F. Riggs High School. She plans to attend Black Hills State University, where she will study psychology.
- Trey Murray, son of Michael and Colleen Murray of Gregory, is a senior at Gregory High School. He plans to attend the United States Air Force Academy.
- Kendra Rounds, daughter of Scott and Kara Rounds of Pierre, is a freshman at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where she is studying atmospheric and environmental sciences.
- Emily Sachtjen, daughter of Amy and Jamie Sachtjen of Winner, is a senior at Winner High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University, where she will study animal science.
- Samantha Schilling, daughter of Shonda and Chad Shilling of Akaska, is a senior at Selby Area High School. She plans to attend Black Hills State University to study biology/pre-veterinary medicine.
- Maya Shorter, daughter of Monty and Kelcey Shorter of Pierre, is a freshman at Minnesota State University Mankato, where she is studying exercise science.
- Mallory Smith, daughter of Jason Smith of Pierre and Carla Smith of Redfield, is a freshman at the University of South Dakota, where she is studying nursing.
- Alyn Spry, daughter of Joel and Jan Spry of Philip, is a senior at Philip High School. She plans to attend South Dakota State University to study nursing.
- Gannon Thomas, son of Andy and Renee Thomas of Gregory, is a senior at Gregory High School. He plans to attend Dakota State University to study exercise science.
- Mason Vetter, son of Chris and Denise Vetter of Selby, is a senior at Selby Area High School. He plans to attend Lake Area Technical Institute, where he will study precision agriculture.
BankWest is a full-service, independent community bank with 19 branches in 16 South Dakota communities including: Armour, Colman, Delmont, Geddes, Gregory, Kadoka, Kennebec, Madison, Mitchell, Onida, Pierre, Rapid City, Selby, Spearfish, Tripp and Winner. It also has stand-alone insurance offices in Murdo, Philip, Presho, Rapid City, and Salem.
