Our Young People

Holly Nielsen third in the nation for FCCLA project

Published by admin on Wed, 07/30/2025 - 8:38am
The chance to go to the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference was honor enough. But to be named third in the nation for her community service project in the National Programs in Action category was completely unexpected. Weeks later, Custer High School junior-to-be Holly Nielsen can still hardly believe it. 
Nielsen is the daughter of Karen and Dane Nielsen and has grown up in the Custer Community. She began participating in FCCLA in seventh grade after her advisor roped her and her friends into it. 

Hill City girls basketball serving ‘OK’ burgers for a cause

Published by admin on Wed, 07/09/2025 - 10:02am
Shine up your boots, polish up your moves and bring a healthy appetite (and your wallet) to the second-annual Hill City Rangers girls basketball team fundraiser.
The event will take place Friday, July 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the Halley’s 1880 Store in Keystone, located at 501 1st St. Known for its  mix of antiques, collectibles, a bar and food shack, Halley’s sets the scene for an evening packed with small-town charm and big-time fun.

Pesicka headed to Europe for pro tournament

Published by admin on Wed, 07/09/2025 - 8:48am

Playing pro soccer has always been Bohdan Pesicka’s dream, and in a few weeks he’ll have the opportunity to do just that in Europe thanks to an invitation from Pro Soccer Consulting (PSC) Soccer Academy. 
Born and raised in Custer, Pesicka has been playing soccer since he was 6 years old. He started at the YMCA and later was part of the fight to bring the soccer program back to the Custer School District. 
Pesicka was even the creative mind behind the “Who Let the Dogs Out” annual fundraiser for the school soccer program. 

Band students to attend music camp

Published by admin on Wed, 07/02/2025 - 9:35am
Five Hill City High School band students are tuning up for a unique musical summer adventure.
Hill City band students Emelia Rapp, Kieara Babcock, Riley Dierolf, Ethan Euneau and Cameron Conway will attend Rushmore Music Camp this August—a week-long experience designed to enhance their musical skills and connect them with fellow musicians.
“The big thing for me going to band camp when I was a student, is meeting other people and interacting with other kids that have similar interests,” said Hill City band director Chuck Safrit.

Youth of the Year passes message of positivity

Published by admin on Wed, 06/18/2025 - 9:44am
A program entitled Pass and Receive came to the Hill City Boys and Girls Club June 12. Recent Wagner High School graduate Hunter Lhotak brought the program to the club. He was accompanied by his mom, Gina, who was born and raised in Hill City.
Lhotak is the South Dakota Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year and will represent the state in the Midwest Youth of the Year event in Chicago June 26.

Hill City valedictorian heads to U.S. Air Force Academy

Published by admin on Wed, 05/28/2025 - 9:23am
Hill City High School’s class of 2025 valedictorian, Lexi Brandt, will soon be trading her cap and gown for dress blues as she embarks on a new journey at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.—a path made possible through a nomination by U.S Sen. John Thune and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson.
As a seventh grader living in Colorado, Brandt was inspired by a Thunderbirds flyover during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. That moment sparked a dream that has become a reality through determination, academic excellence and a desire to serve her country. 

Graduates receive diplomas under the faces of giants

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:37am
Despite rain, storms and even some snow, the Hill City class of 2025 graduated at Mount Rushmore National Memorial May 18.  
The ceremony began with a message from superintendent Blake Gardner who told graduates that the day was their “Super Bowl,” relaying his signature message to “make today a masterpiece.”

Lewison wins Rising Star of the West

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:29am

Custer High School senior Quinn Lewison is the winner of the 19th annual Rising Star of the West scholarship contest sponsored by KOTA Territory and Monument Health.  The four finalists in this year’s contest each delivered four on-air commentaries which were rated by both online viewers and a KOTA Territory panel. Lewison was picked as this year’s best by a combination of those groups.  She receives a $4,000 college scholarship.

Dylan Frank accepted into U.S. Naval Academy

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 1:46pm

Custer High School senior Dylan Frank will go down in history at Custer Jr./Sr. High School as the eighth student to ever be accepted into a military academy.
Frank, the son of Chris Frank and Tracy Clark, has attended school in Custer for his entire life. During that time, he has been active in sports like cross country, track and soccer as well as academics by taking dual-credit classes and becoming the president of the National Honor Society.

Buehler leaves legacy Hill City won’t soon forget

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:07am
Hill City senior Devin Buehler didn’t just leave his mark in Hill City, he graffitied his name all over the record books — figuratively of course. 
Buehler, the son of Dan and Meagan Buehler of Hill City, has attended Hill City school since kindergarten and is knocking at the door of graduation this Sunday. But it’s not the time that he has spent here that is impressive; it’s what he did with it.