STURGIS BROWN HIGH SCHOOL

Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors Dr. King’s enduring contributions to the civil rights movement and his leadership in advancing equality, voting rights, and nonviolent social change in the United States. Established as a federal holiday, it reflects the nation’s commitment to remembering both Dr. King and the principles he championed.

Following Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, efforts to honor his legacy began almost immediately. In 1983, Congress passed legislation creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. More than a decade later, President Bill Clinton signed the King Holiday and Service Act in 1994, formally designating the day as a national day of service and encouraging Americans to volunteer in their communities.

Although the first official observance took place in 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was not recognized by all 50 states until 2000. Today, the holiday continues to serve as both a time of reflection and a call to action, inspiring people to participate in volunteer activities, attend commemorative events, and learn more about Dr. King’s legacy and its lasting impact on American history.

Monday 1/19/2026

NO SCHOOL; MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

Tuesday 1/20/2026

SBHS JV Boys Wrestling: vs. Douglas, Stevens, Central & Spearfish; @ SBHS; 4:00 PM

SBHS Girls Wrestling: @ Harding County; TBD

Wednesday 1/21/2026

TWO-HOUR LATE START

Thursday 1/22/2026

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs Custer @ SBHS; Games Start @ 3:30 PM

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs Custer @ SBHS; Games Start @ 3:30 PM

Friday 1/23/2026

SBHS Junior Honor Choir: Rapid City; TBD

Saturday 01/24/2026

SBHS Girls C Team Basketball: Hill City Tournament; TBD

SBHS Junior Honor Choir: Rapid City; TBD

SBHS JV/Varsity Boys Wrestling: East-West Duals @ Pierre; 11:00 AM (CST)

SBHS Girls Wrestling: @ Chadron; TBD

CTE SURVEY: A survey was sent to all students & parents via Google Classroom/Smores Newsletter. The survey is a required component of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant process. The CTE grants monies are used to purchase equipment for the machining, welding, woods/construction, ag, and culinary arts classes.

January 19: No School; Martin Luther King Day

January 21: Two-Hour Late Start

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.

KBHB/Kwik Mart Athlete of the Week is Tyler Baldwin of the Sturgis Scooper Wrestling Team! Tyler retained his top spot in the state at 120 pounds by getting a hard fought win vs Thunder Basin and at the Mid Dakota Monster this past week. Way to go Tyler!!!

State Wrestling tickets are now available for purchase through the Sturgis High School Activities Office.

Contact: (605) 347-4487

Tournament Location:
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Sioux Falls, SD

Tournament Dates:
February 26, 27, and 28

Ticket Prices (All-Session Only):

Adults: $50 (Reserved Seating)
Students: $30 (General Admission)

Important Ticket Information:

Only ALL-SESSION tickets may be purchased in advance
No refunds on advanced ticket orders
Payment is required at the time of ordering at SBHS
Checks only – payable to SBHS
No credit card purchases accepted

Purchase Deadline:
Monday, January 26, 2026

Don’t miss your chance to support our wrestlers at the State Tournament!

Who wants a chance to win some CASH? The Post Prom Committee is selling raffle tickets! Only 300 tickets are up for grabs at $50 each, and you could win one of THREE $1,000 prizes, FOUR $500 prizes, or EIGHT $250 prizes! That’s 15 winners and $7,000 in cash prizes! The big drawing is in February, and every ticket sold helps us put on a safe and super fun Post Prom event for our students. Don’t miss out! Get your ticket before they’re gone! To purchase your raffle ticket, either email the Post Prom Committee (sbhspostprom@gmail.com) or Venmo @scottie-bruch.

The St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus council is holding their annual “Free Throw Championship” on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5pm at the Main Street Armory in Sturgis. Boys and girls, ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition and will compete in their

respective age divisions. All participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.

Participants shoot 15 free throws in the local competition and winners will progress to the district and state competitions.

April is National County Government Month and that Meade County is hosting an art contest to celebrate. The theme of this year’s contest is “Favorite Outdoor Activity,” encouraging participants to show why they love their county. Children from preschool through K–12 are eligible to participate and win prizes. Artwork may be created in any medium but must be sized between 8.5 x 11 inches and 11 x 17 inches. The deadline to submit artwork is March 27, 2026, with judging to be completed by May 1.

The Meade School District is now accepting nominations for the 2026–27 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year.

We encourage staff, parents, students, and community members to take this opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond in service to the district.

All completed nomination forms must be submitted to the nominee’s building principal/district committee member no later than Friday, February 6, 2026.

Building principal/district committee members need to have building nominees submitted to the superintendent’s office no later than Monday, February 9, 2026.

Employee Recognition District Committee members include: Scottie Bruch, Tom Schneller, Brian Voight and Megan Snyder, Katy Jutting, Ethan Dschaak and Beth Johnson.

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!