Custer County Chronicle

Josh finds purpose in security

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 12:47pm

Before becoming part of Vista Care’s Shared Living Services, Josh Steinhauer of Custer, and Pal, both lived in group home settings. Their move to Shared Living marked a new chapter in their lives, where they found the independence and structure they needed to flourish. For the time they’ve been with Vista Care, where they’ve embraced the opportunity to explore new experiences and develop a strong sense of purpose.

Kindergarten college program to start

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 12:42pm

A group of Custer and Hermosa kindergartners will get a jumpstart on saving for education after high school this fall. Trailhead Scholars, a new Black Hills Area Community Foundation education program, offers $500 in 529 college savings to kindergartners who qualify for free and reduced meals. To become eligible, families must complete the Custer School District’s free and reduced meal application by Aug. 25.

Royalty ready to reign

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:38am

Three Custer High School Class of 2026 graduates are set to reign over the 103rd annual Gold Discovery Days this weekend.
Ava Hohn was selected as this year’s queen by a panel of judges after an interview process that takes into account factors such as academic performance, community/volunteering efforts, etc. Joining her in royalty are princesses Keira Nelson and Madisyn Lent.

Elk Mountain eighth grader helps stop fire

Published by admin on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 12:54pm

It was just another ordinary day when he saw the smoke.
Andrew Bradeen, son of Jason and Nan Bradeen, is an eighth grader at Elk Mountain School,  located west of Custer. Around April 26, Andrew was heading out to water his 4-H pigs at 4:30 p.m. when he realized something was wrong. 
“I got home from school, and I dropped off my backpack and ran down to go see if I needed to give water to my pigs or anything, and I started smelling smoke,” said Andrew. 

Sierra Swanson runs the Boston Marathon

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 9:50am

It was a quick weekend trip, and she was back in class by 8 a.m. the following morning, but Sierra Swanson took full advantage of the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon April 20. 
Swanson, the daughter of Dan and Anita and a 2024 Custer High School graduate, has always enjoyed running. She ran cross country and track in high school and is currently part of a running club and a triathlon club at the University of Wyoming. For the triathlons, Swanson races against other competitors in swimming, biking and running events for a combined time. 

The show must go on for live All-State Band auditions

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 9:32am
Live auditions will continue for South Dakota students who want to be in All-State Band. However, an online platform for auditions is lurking in the wings.
At its meeting  Wednesday, June 17, the board of directors of the South Dakota High School Activities Association  (SDHSAA) determined that live auditions will continue while the staff researches an online platform that could take over when live auditions aren’t available.

Putting classroom experience into action

Published by admin on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 2:12pm

It’s not every day you learn how to save a life, but Custer High School is teaching students how to do just that through its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class. Now, a year after taking the course, 2026 graduate Aden Pankowski, son of Tucker and Tari Jo, has used the skills he learned to help in several emergency situations. 

The end of the beginning for the Class of 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 05/20/2026 - 11:50am

They were in sixth grade when their world changed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. After that experience, they determined they could survive anything. Now, six years later, the Class of 2026 is preparing to go out and change the world, and in the words of guest speaker Custer High School English teacher Cherri Block, “We are counting on you.” 
At the Custer High School Commencement Ceremony in the Armory May 16, Custer School District superintendent of schools Dr. Tim Frederick said graduation reflected the class’s hard work and determination. 

Cochran honored as top state academic

Published by admin on Wed, 05/06/2026 - 2:16pm

The class of 2026’s top one percent of graduating seniors were recognized recently at the 36th Annual Academic Excellence Recognition luncheon for their academic achievements throughout their high school career. Among those honored was Custer High School’s Sam Cochran.
Gov. Larry Rhoden’s office and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) honored students identified as the top one percent of their senior class, from the state’s public, private and tribal/BIE schools.

Hive to Pride 5K Fun Run May 3

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:39pm

Run, walk, eat and win at the Hive to Pride 5K Fun Run May 3, starting at 1 p.m. This event is a scholarship fundraiser for a Custer High School graduate who previously attended Hermosa School, presented by Hermosa School’s eighth-grade leadership class.  
“In the leadership class,” eighth grader Brianna Anderson said, “we focus on giving back to our community and making fundraisers. One of our fundraisers was the haunted house food drive, where we had a haunted house, and people brought a can of food.”