Hall of Fame: Lauren (Hill) Diede

As a Tea Area student, Lauren (Hill) Diede was involved in many activities.

As a 2013 Tea Area graduate, Diede participated in track, volleyball, basketball, band, choir, FCCLA, HOSA, student council and National Honor Society.

Diede was one of five to be inducted into the Tea Area School District Hall of Fame during homecoming in September.

“It’s a really huge honor, especially because I got to see the school itself grow and we got to watch individuals and then teams succeed so much,” she said. “It’s an amazing honor to know how many athletes and students have done well in the programs and that I was one that was selected out of everybody.”

Diede advised current students to take pride in where they come from.

“Take pride in where you come from and never underestimate the foundation this school and town can give you. Work hard, stay humble and always be willing to show up for others. No one can ever take away the effort you put in - so give 110 percent to everything you do. Often, it’s the journey - the practices, the late nights, the challenges - that ends up meaning more than the end result. Don’t forget to enjoy it all, because every game, every meet, every class, every moment goes by faster than you think,” Diede said.

As an eighth-grader Diede ran the 300 meter hurdles at the state track meet and won second place and her team finished eighth with five girls. As a freshman, she won the 300 meter hurdles at state. She also competed in the 100 meter hurdles and relays.

After graduating, she attended the University of South Dakota where she ran track for two years and participated in ROTC. She graduated as a nurse. Today she works as the elementary school nurse in the Milbank School District and as a flight nurse for labor and delivery at Avera. She lives in Milbank with her husband, Logan, and was expecting a baby in September.

Lauren is pictured above with her family.