STURGIS BROWN HIGH SCHOOL

Monday 12/15/2025

SBHS Band & Choir: Winter Combined Holiday Concert; West Gym; 7:00 PM

Tuesday 12/16/2025

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs. Lead-Deadwood @ SBHS; 3:30 (JV)/4:45 (9)/6:00 (V)

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs. Lead-Deadwood @ SBHS; 3:30 (JV)/4:45 (9)/7:30 (V)

Wednesday 12/17/2025

SBHS Blood Drive: West Gym Lobby

Thursday 12/18/2025

SBHS Boys/Girls Wrestling: vs. Rapid City; JV/Girls V/Boys V; 5:00 PM

Friday 12/19/2025

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs. Pierre @ SBHS; 4:00 PM

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs. Pierre @ Pierre; 4:00 PM (CST)

SBHS Varsity Boys Wrestling: @ Gillette; 10:00 AM

Saturday 12/20/2025

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs. Aberdeen @ SBHS; 10:00 AM

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs. Aberdeen @ Aberdeen; 9:00 AM (CST)

SBHS Varsity Boys Wrestling: @ Gillette; 10:00 AM

SBHS Varsity Girls Wrestling: Battle for the Paddle @ Canton; TBD

SBHS JV Boys Wrestling: @ Hot Springs; TBD

December 15: – SENIORS ONLY: Senior yearbook picture due (uploaded through Google Classroom; see Mrs. Craig with questions.

December 17: Advisee/Advisor Day

December 22- January 2: No School, Christmas Break

January 12: Parent Teacher Conferences; 4-8:00 PM

January 19: No School; Martin Luther King Day

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.

The talents of Sturgis Brown High School students will be on full display during a special evening of art and music on Monday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the West Gym Lobby.

Before and after the annual Band and Choir Winter Concert, guests are invited to enjoy the Senior Art Show, which will showcase a variety of creative works by the school’s graduating art students. From paintings and photography to ceramics and mixed media, the exhibit celebrates the artistic achievements of the Class of 2025. the public is warmly encouraged to attend and support the students’ hard work and talent. — Celebrate the arts this holiday season at Sturgis Brown High School’s Winter Concert and Senior Art Show!

The 2025 SDHSAA State Oral Interp Festival was held in Watertown on Friday and Saturday, December 5–6, bringing together talented performers from across South Dakota. Sturgis Brown High School students earned Superior awards at the event: Wynter Thomason in Poetry. The Readers Theatre team also delivered an outstanding performance, with Lane Culver, Haiden Culver, Lucy Secrest, Rowan Lutz, and Abigail Smith, all receiving Superior honors for their work.

Sturgis, SD — Sturgis Brown High School will host a community blood drive on Wednesday, December 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the high school gym lobby. The event is sponsored by the Student Council in partnership with Vitalant.

Students aged 16 and 17 are encouraged to participate but must provide a Minor Donor Consent Form. Interested donors can make an appointment online at vitalant.org using the blood drive code Sturgisbrownhs, or by calling 877-25-VITAL.

Appointments can also be scheduled through Madisyn Richter; and additional information is available from Mr. Mott.

FCCLA visited the elementary school and gave a presentation to the second graders about the importance of being thankful. The students got to color a turkey with some of the things they are thankful for. The second graders and the high schoolers had a lot of fun. FCCLA can't wait to go back next year.

Continuing a long-standing tradition of gratitude, the Sturgis Brown High School Student Council once again donated Thanksgiving dinner items to the school’s custodial team. Each year, Student Council members gather and package a full Thanksgiving meal—including items such as turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and desserts—to present to the custodians ahead of the holiday. The gesture is meant to recognize the hard work and dedication of the staff members who keep the school clean, safe, and running smoothly.

Student Council representatives, Tori Williams and Abigail Wetz pictured with Walter Bataille, said the tradition is an important way to highlight the often behind-the-scenes contributions of the custodial team. The tradition reinforces the importance of kindness, gratitude, and service.

The Spearfish Debate Tournament showcased an impressive performance from our debate team, with several students earning top honors across multiple events. Madi Richter captured 1st place in Oratory, setting a strong tone for the team. In Extemporaneous Speaking, Riley Carlson secured 3rd place, while Hunter Scott earned 2nd. The Novice Public Forum division saw two standout pairs: Marcus Roache and Lily Salazar placed 3rd, and Macy Secrest and Ella Roberts claimed the championship with a 1st-place finish. In Varsity Public Forum, Ian Johnson and Cade Tallmage delivered a strong performance, taking 2nd place. Adding to his accomplishments, Hunter Scott also took top honors in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate. Overall, the team’s results highlight a successful showing and continued excellence in competitive debate.

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!