Dakotaland Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that 10 area students have been awarded a total of $10,000 in college scholarships for the 2026-27 school year.
Over 100 applications were reviewed by a 15-member scholarship committee representing Dakotaland’s ten branch communities. Committee member Callie Wipf, Teller Services Representative at the Aberdeen Branch, shared her thoughts on the process:
"It was an enlightening experience to learn about these young men and women. Their
accomplishments and ambitions show how truly dedicated they are to their futures. I am proud to work for an establishment that is committed to helping our youth."
Each winner received $1,000 to support their continued education:
• Kyla Peskey, Iroquois, SD – Huron High School graduate attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, majoring in Health Science
• Noah Felderman, Doland, SD – Doland High School graduate attending Lake Area
Technical College in Watertown, SD, majoring in Law Enforcement
• Ireland Hennrich, Huron, SD – currently attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, majoring in Aerospace Engineering
• Natalie Cundy, Iroquois, SD – Iroquois High School graduate attending Lake Area
Technical College in Watertown, SD, majoring in Physical Therapy
• Hailey Rogers, Alpena, SD – Huron High School graduate attending Northern State
University in Aberdeen, SD, majoring in Elementary Education
• Hope Baysinger, Woonsocket, SD – Mitchell High School graduate attending South
Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, majoring in Animal Science
• Addyson Baruth, Alpena, SD – Woonsocket High School graduate attending Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, majoring in Psychology
• Kiana Schmit, Elkton, SD – Deubrook Area High School graduate attending South
Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, majoring in Human Biology
• Cheyenne Vander Wal, Bruce, SD – Sioux Valley High School graduate attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, majoring in Nursing
• Emily Gades, Ethan, SD – Ethan High School graduate attending Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD, majoring in Law Enforcement and Conservation
Credit Union President Ryan Goehner emphasized the importance of supporting local students:
"For several decades, the credit union has supported our area youth with scholarships, giving them the freedom to achieve their aspirations and become great citizens. Of all the ways Dakotaland gives back to our membership, I feel this is one of the more important."
Dakotaland Federal Credit Union has branch locations in Huron, Volga, Brookings, Madison, Redfield, Aberdeen, De Smet, Mitchell, Watertown, and Woonsocket. With over 45,000 members and $730 million in assets, Dakotaland has been locally owned and operated since 1935, providing a full range of financial services to the communities it serves.
