Tea Area School District honors outstanding students at 2025 K-12 Graduation Awards Ceremony

Crystal Groeneweg named Teacher of the Year

Crystal Groeneweg was named Teacher of the Year on Monday, May 12. She received $2,500 sponsored by Reliabank.  

Tea Area School District celebrated the achievements of its exceptional students at the 2025 K-12 Graduation Awards Ceremony held on Monday, May 12. The event also featured the announcement of Teacher of the Year. 

This year’s Teacher of the Year was awarded to Crystal Groeneweg. Groeneweg was honored with the award during the program. She received a $2,500 check sponsored by Reliabank.

Other finalists for Tea Area’s Teacher of the Year included Amanda Pickett, Gabrielle Mahaney, and Rachel Risse.

While the Teacher of the Year announcement concluded the Graduation Awards Ceremony, the event began with the Regents Scholar awards. The Regents Scholar Award is for students that not only met the South Dakota High School Graduation requirements but who have gone above and beyond by taking four years math, four years science and two years of world language or Career and Technical Education courses. They have also maintained a 3.0 GPA and above with no grade less than a C.

Earning the award were the following students: Mathew Birger, Caleb Boerger, Kalli Boom, Kyla Brown, Ethan Bruins, Isaac Bullis, Delainey Burrack, Evan Cain, Caydence Fields, Ella Franzen, Shelbi Goehring, Carson Hall, Reese Hammerquist, Claire Hank, Madalyn Havlin, Kya Haynes, Emmalee Hindberg, Olivia Hubley, Kendra Huss, Remington Jacobson, Jacob Jongejeugd, Lillian Kaiser, Lane Kelsey, Alyssa McDaniel, Elizabeth Mehlbrech, Jaya Milbrath, Alexander Miller, Bennett Miller, Jaydin Mitchell, Sienna Mork, Jacob Mueller, Abigail Munson, Addison Naser, Mya Neuhardt, Brandon Nguyen, Kendra Oberle, Madison Olesen, Daniel Oye, Tyler Rhead, Matthew Rogers, Jonathan Schlunsen, Jaden Sedlacek, Ethan Sheppard, Caitlyn Smiley, Marshall Smythe, Riley Svanda, Jackson Treloar, Benjamin Vasecka, Jadyn Webster, Sam Werdel, Cameron Wiens, Jeremy Wiens, Teagen Willson, Chloe Wilson, Parker Wilson, Brandon Wipf, Kassidy Wranek, Ashlynn Wright, Alejandra Zamora Gutierrez, and Daniel Zuraff.

The President’s Outstanding Academic Excellence Award was presented to students who maintained a 3.667 GPA, which is an A average or better as well as scored a composite score of 24 or better on their ACT.  

The recipients of this award were the following students: Mathew Birger, Kyla Brown, Isaac Bullis, Delainey Burrack, Ella Franzen, Reese Hammerquist, Claire Hank, Madalyn Havlin, Kya Haynes, Emmalee Hindberg, Olivia Hubley, Remington Jacobson, Lillian Kaiser, Lane Kelsey, Elizabeth Mehlbrech, Alexander Miller, Jacob Mueller, Abigail Munson, Kendra Oberle, Daniel Oye, Matthew Rogers, Jonathan Schlunsen, Jadyn Webster, Brandon Wipf, Kassidy Wranek, and Daniel Zuraff. 

A total of 31 students of the graduating class are members of the National Honors Society. These students have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and excel in scholarship, leadership, service and character. These students will receive a gold medal that they will wear around their neck at graduation. Those recognized were: 

Derek Andersen, Caleb Boerger, Kalli Boom, Kyla Brown, Delainey Burrack, Ella Franzen, Reese Hammerquist, Claire Hank, Kya Haynes, Emmalee Hindberg, Remington Jacobson, Jacob Jongejeugd, Lillian Kaiser, Lane Kelsey, Alyssa McDaniel, Jaya Milbrath, Alexander Miller, Jaydin Mitchell, Jacob Mueller, Addison Naser, Kendra Oberle, Madison Olesen, Matthew Rogers, Caitlyn Smiley, Marshall Smythe, Ramsey Stansbury, Chloe Wilson, Parker Wilson, Brandon Wipf, Kassidy Wranek, and Ashlynn Wright. 

The presentation of cords followed, with various distinctions awarded to deserving students. A gold cord is given to students who has a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better throughout high school. A pink cord signifies Tri-M, which is an honors music award. To earn the Tri-M cord the student needed to have a 3.0 GPA or better, be active in band and/or chorus, show good character and set and example of excellence in performing and promoting music in our school and community. 

Earning Tri-M cords were: Kalli Boom, Jesse Bridgrins, Kyla Brown, Delainey Burrack, Caydence Fields, Claire Hank, Madalyn Havlin, Kya Haynes, Remington Jacobson, Gavin Kolbeck, Malia Lydic, Sienna Mork, Jacob Mueller, Kendra Oberle, Peyton Parker, Jonathan Schlunsen, Howgajen Shibly, Ramsey Stansbury, Jadyn Webster, Chloe Wilson, and Kassidy Wranek. 

Earning honors cords were:  Derek Andersen, Mathew Birger, Caleb Boerger, Kalli Boom, Jesse Bridgins Levinn Brobjorg, Kyla Brown, Ethan Bruins, Isaac Bullis, Delainey Burrack, David Dingman, Thaila Ektanitpong, Caydence Fields, Ella Franzeen, Shelbi Goehring, Ashley Goodman, Reese Hammerquist Claire Hank, Madalyn Havlin, Kya Haynes, Emmalee Hindberg, Clayton Hoffman, Ashton Hoover, Olivia Hubley, Kendra Huss, Remington Jacobson, Jacob Jongejeugd, Lillian Kaiser Lane Kelsey, Jase Kirschenman, Alyssa McDaniel, Elizabeth Mehlbrech, Jaya Milbrath, Alexander Miller, Jaydin Mitchell, Sienna Mork, Jacob Mueller, Abigail Munson, Addison Naser, Mya Neuhardt, Brandon Nguyen, Kendra Oberle, Madison Olesen, Daniel Oye, Peyton Parker, Tyler Rhead, Matthew Rogers, Jonathan Schlunsen, Jaden Sedlacek, Ethan Sheppard, Howgajen Shibly, Caitlyn Smiley, Marshall Smythe, Ramsey  Stansbury, Jackson Treloar, Gavin Van Emmerik, Cassandra Waltner, Jadyn Webster, Sam Werdel, Cameron Wiens, Jeremy Wiens, Teagen Willson, Chloe Wilson, Parker Wilson, Brandon Wipf, Kassidy Wranek, Ashlynn Wright, Alejandra Zamora Gutierrez, and Daniel Zuraff. 

Students who have enlisted in the United States Military received a green military cord showing their commitment to serve this great nation. Those students included Braeden Dunkelberger, Nathan Fechner, Connor Freeman, Aubreanna Gerritsen, Maci Lund, Aimerie Mosley, and Caleb Serk. 

The Valedictorian, Abigail Munson, and Salutatorian, Olivia Hubley, were also honored. 

The ceremony also highlighted the achievements of the Class of 2025 in terms of scholarship. The students collectively received over $544,000 in scholarships for their freshman year in college, amounting to approximately $2.1 million over their four years. 

Special community awards were also presented. 

Students who have demonstrated leadership in the community were awarded the Tea Area Community Foundation Scholarship. Recipients included Jaydin Mitchell, Parker Wilson, and Elizabeth Mehlbrech. 

The Reliabank scholarship recognizes students for their academic achievements and community involvement. The recipient of the Reliabank Dakota Scholarship was Marshall Smythe. The recipient of the Reliabank Legacy Scholarship was Kya Haynes. 

The Justin Lake College Scholarship award is given to a senior in memory of Justin, a loved Titan, who was a caring community leader. This scholarship was awarded to Olivia Hubley. 

The American Bank & Trust Scholarship was awarded to Daniel Oye. 

The Southeastern Electric Cooperative Scholarship was awarded to Delainey Burrack. 

The Ethan David Chapman Scholarship, given by the Chapman family of J&R Mechanical is awarded in memory of their son, Ethan David Chapman. Winning the award was Sam Werdel. 

The Tea Lions Club awarded the Harvey Bossman and Roger Klinghagen Memorial Scholarship to Elizabeth Mehlbrech, Teagen Wilson, Delainey Burrack, Parker Wilson, and Kassidy Wranek. Bossman and Klinghagen were founding members of the Tea Lions Club. 

Activities Director, Craig Clayberg presented the activities and athletic awards. 

The Outstanding Senior Boy and Girl in Fine Arts and Athletics Award were given. The Fine Arts Award was awarded to Kassidy Wranek and Isaac Bullis. This year’s award winners for Outstanding Athletes were Reese Hammerquist and Sam Werdel. The criteria for these awards includes involvement in at least three activities for fine arts, three sports in athletics, GPA, Good Citizen, and Community leader. The recipients are nominated and voted on by activity leaders and coaches.  

Starting in 2022, the Tea Titans Youth Wrestling Club initiated a scholarship program to give back to student-athletes who exemplify what it means to be a Titan on and off the mat. These students were four-year members of the wrestling team, graduated with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and have given their time back to the youth club throughout their high school tenure. Those earning the honor were Sam Werdel, Colton Duffy, Dawson Eimers, and Parker Wilson. 

The recipients of the sports boosters scholarships are selected by a sports boosters panel. The students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and need to submit an essay on how their involvement in High School athletics impacted them as a member of the community. This year’s recipients included Kalli Boom, Kyla Brown, Reese Hammerquist, Claire Hank, Kya Haynes, Elizabeth Mehlbrech, Jaydin Mitchell, Mya Neuhardt, Marshall Smythe, Ramsey Stansbury, and Sam Werdel.

Each year, the Tea Area Music Boosters select two senior recipients for scholarship awards. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher with one recipient currently enrolled in Band and one in Choir. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded based on Titan high school music accomplishments, involvement in other community music and school activities, a personal statement, and future post-secondary music plans. This year’s recipients were Kassidy Wranek and Isaac Bullis.

High School Principal, Collin Knudson announced the winner of the Tea Area Teachers Scholarship. The Tea Area High School Teachers Scholarship is awarded to two outstanding Titan graduates based on leadership, community service, need, and work ethic and is chosen by a panel of high school teachers. This year’s recipients of $1,000 scholarships were Kassidy Wranek and Delainey Burrack. 

The event concluded with Mrs. Krebs, the elementary music teacher, along with the elementary student council, leading everyone in the Titan school.