Babb, Karpenin honored with Academic Excellence

Two Tea Area High School seniors were recognized among the top academic students in the state during the annual Academic Excellence Recognition luncheon held Monday, April 27, in Pierre.

Jaycie Babb and Ashlyn Karpenin, both members of the Class of 2026, received Academic Excellence Awards for ranking in the top one percent of their class. The honor places them among an elite group of students selected from schools across South Dakota.

The awards were presented by Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen during the annual luncheon, which brings together top-performing students representing public, private, and tribal/Bureau of Indian Education schools throughout the state.

The Academic Excellence Recognition program, hosted by the Governor’s Office in partnership with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, celebrates the academic achievements of the state’s highest-ranking seniors each year. Students are selected based on their standing within the top one percent of their graduating class.

The annual event highlights the dedication and academic success of South Dakota’s top students.