STURGIS BROWN HIGH SCHOOL

Sunday 3/1/2026

SBHS Wrestling Welcome Home: SBHS Cafeteria @ 4:00 PM

Monday 3/2/2026

SBHS Track: 1st Day of Track

Tuesday 3/3/2026

No Activities

Wednesday 3/4/2026

Two-Hour Late Start

No Activities

Thursday 3/5/2026

No Activities

Friday 3/6/2026

SBHS Speech & Debate: State @ Aberdeen; TBD

SBHS Girls Basketball: SODak 16; TBD

Saturday 3/7/2026

SBHS Speech & Debate: State @ Aberdeen; TBD

SBHS Boys Basketball: SODak 16; TBD

Tuesdays ONLY:

FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Meets Tuesday mornings 7:15 AM in Room 124, Mrs. Keffeler’s Room.
Chess Club will meet on Tuesdays after school in Room 151, Mrs. Stevens’ room.

Sturgis Brown High School is proud to welcome our State Wrestlers home! Join us as we celebrate their hard work, dedication, and incredible accomplishments this season.

📅 When: Sunday, March 1st at 4:00 PM
📍 Where: East Gym, SBHS

Let’s pack the gym and show our Scoopers how proud we are! 🖤❤️

Students with talents to share will soon have their chance to shine as auditions for the upcoming “Scoop Revue” approach. The event is open to musicians, dancers, comedians, poets, MCs, and other performers eager to take the stage. Auditions are scheduled for March 2, 3, 4, and 5, with performances set for March 16 and 17. Interested participants are asked to sign up for an audition time outside the choir room.

For more information, students and families may contact Mrs. Loftin at Jennifer.Loftin@k12.sd.us The stage-themed promotional flyer highlights the excitement surrounding the annual showcase.

Congratulations to the Meade School District Speech and Debate Team on an extraordinary accomplishment!

Four outstanding students have qualified for the prestigious National Speech and Debate Tournament, which will be held this June in Richmond, Virginia. This national event brings together more than 7,000 of the top competitors from across the country for a week-long showcase of excellence in communication, critical thinking, and leadership.

Original Oratory Qualifiers

Madisyn Richter
Kate Bestgen

Madisyn and Kate earned the two Original Oratory qualifying spots for the district. Original Oratory is a powerful ten-minute persuasive speech entirely written and presented by the student—an event that demands creativity, research, organization, and dynamic delivery.

Extemporaneous Speaking Qualifiers

Hunter Scott – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
Riley Carlson – International Extemporaneous Speaking

In extemporaneous speaking, students receive a current event question and have just thirty minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech—delivered without notes. This event requires deep knowledge of current events, analytical skill, composure under pressure, and exceptional speaking ability.

Qualifying for nationals is an incredible achievement that reflects months—if not years—of dedication, practice, and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of Madisyn, Kate, Hunter, and Riley for representing Meade Schools at the highest level.

Best of luck in Richmond this June! 🎉

Sturgis Brown High School proudly recognized a group of outstanding students for earning February Positive Referrals, highlighting their commitment to leadership, kindness, responsibility, and academic excellence.This month’s Positive Referral program was proudly sponsored by the Sturgis Optimist Club, whose continued support helps recognize and encourage student achievement and character development.

Students recognized this month include: Ella Roberts, Kanin Smith, Asher Tammi, Kielyn Aker, Westyn Perschbacher, Anya Juelfs, Kenadie Broderick, Kenneth White, Syndey Andrezjewski, Lily Wilson, Angel Warfield, Mackenzie Reese, Xandria Goodall, Kian Loftin, Jonathon Martin, Kade Bahr, Scarlett Audiss, Aaliyah Droppers, Landon Cramer, Landon Rowe, Kelly Raye Bergstrom, Cael Pool, Kaelyn Schone, Marley Aldinger, Everett Urbaniak, Miranda Jacobs, Jager Heller, and Lily Glodt.

These students exemplify the core values of Sturgis Brown High School by showing respect for others, maintaining a positive attitude, and contributing to a supportive learning environment. Whether through academic achievement, helping peers, participating in extracurricular activities, or demonstrating everyday acts of kindness, each student has made a meaningful impact.

Congratulations to all of February’s Positive Referral recipients for representing Sturgis Brown High School with pride.

Pictured: Back Row: Kenneth White, Kade Bahr, Everett Urbaniak, Kanin Smith, Landon Rowe, Landon Cramer, and Cael Pool. Middle Row: Aaliya Droppers, Marley Aldinger, Kenadie Broderick, Kielyn Aker, Ella Roberts, Kellyray Bergstrom, Asher Tammi, and Kian Loftin. Front Row: Scarlet Audiss, Xandria Goodall, Makenzie Reese, Miranda Jacobs, and Jonathan Martin.

The 18th annual Sturgis Career Fair brought together 115 vendors and more than 130 exhibits in the West Gym, giving students from Sturgis Brown High School and surrounding districts hands-on exposure to a wide range of careers. Organized by assistant principal Coleen Keffeler, the event connected students with professionals in fields such as health care, aviation, law enforcement, skilled trades and barbering. Students rotated through booths, asking questions and learning about education pathways, certifications and day-to-day job responsibilities.

Interactive demonstrations and personal stories highlighted the accessibility and variety of career paths available. Students tested heavy equipment simulators, learned about aviation programs that can lead to commercial pilot certification in two years, and explored opportunities in nursing, law enforcement and juvenile services. Skilled trades were also emphasized, including barbering, where students can complete training in under a year and quickly enter the workforce. Throughout the day, the fair underscored a clear message: whether students aspire to work in health care, aviation, public service or the trades, practical and attainable pathways are available to help them reach their goals.

Photos by Tim Potts

SENIOR NEWS | Class of 2026

September 2025

Senior Class Advisors:

Kari Van Zee (kari.vanzee@k12.sd.us)
Jenece Holzbauer (jenece.holzbauer@k12.sd.us)
Stephanie Kaufman (stephanie.kaufman@k12.sd.us)

Information below is subject to change. Please watch the SBHS Announcements and the Class of 2026 Google Classroom for updates.

Preparing for Your Senior Year

The Class of 2026 is entering an exciting and busy year filled with important deadlines and memorable moments leading up to graduation. Below are key dates and reminders to help seniors and their families stay on track.

Fall Deadlines

October 2 – Deadline to order Cap & Gown and graduation merchandise. (Instructions available on the Class of 2026 Google Classroom.)
October 17 – Deadline to submit class poem, song, motto, and flower color nominations via Google Classroom.
- Songs must include printed lyrics, a YouTube link, and be school-appropriate.
- Poems must be original, appropriate, and will be read at graduation by the author if selected.
- Motto submissions must be cited appropriately.
November 3–7 – Online voting for poem, song, motto, and flower color.
November 7 – Baby picture due for the senior slideshow.
December 15 – Senior yearbook picture due (uploaded through Google Classroom; see Mrs. Craig with questions).

Spring Deadlines

February 1 – Many local scholarship applications open (check Student Services website).
April 1 – Most scholarship applications due (verify deadlines individually). Questions can be directed to Registrar Judy Weisz.
Week of April 13 – Make class awards in Room 303 during Scooper Times.
April 17 – Deadline to sign up for Graduation Speaker try-outs (via Google Classroom). Note: If your poem is chosen, you cannot audition.
April 23 – Graduation Speaker try-outs, Room 113.
April 27–May 1 – Online voting for Class Awards.
May 11 – Pick up Senior Checkout Sheet and complete Exit Survey.
May 13 – Senior Walk, last day of class, turn in checkout sheet and computer (during 5th period).
May 15 – Awards, graduation practice, and Senior BBQ (details TBA).

Graduation Day – Sunday, May 17, 2026

12:30 PM – Doors open
1:15 PM – Seniors line up
2:00 PM – Graduation Ceremony begins promptly

Dress Expectations:

Ladies: Dress, skirt and blouse, or dress pants and blouse. Shoes must have a back strap (no flip-flops or tennis shoes).
Gentlemen: Dress slacks or black jeans with a dress shirt. Shoes must have a back strap (no flip-flops or tennis shoes).

Adornments Allowed:

Honor cords, honor tassels, NHS and military stoles, military uniform (if basic training completed), eagle feather/plume, tribal beading, or star quilt on chair (SDCL 13-1-66).
No other hat decorations or gown adornments permitted.
See Mr. Wilson by May 15 with dress code questions.

This year is full of opportunities to celebrate your hard work and create lasting memories. Stay connected through the Class of 2026 Google Classroom and SBHS announcements to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines. Congratulations, Seniors—it’s your year!