STURGIS BROWN HIGH SCHOOL

Final Exam Schedule Information – Thursday, November 13 & Friday, November 14

Open Periods:
If you have an open period, you do not need to be at school during that time. If you choose to stay on campus, you must remain in the library or commons area. Please remember that other students will be testing, so hallways must stay quiet and clear.
Absent or Missed Test:
If you are absent on a test day, you are responsible for contacting your teacher to schedule a make-up time for any missed exams.
School Lunch:
- Day 1 (Thursday): Lunch will be served as usual.
- Day 2 (Friday): Lunch will not be served. For students who remain on campus, pizza will be provided at 12:30 PM.
Students are able to leave at 1:30 PM on Thursday and 11:15 AM on Friday.
Buses: Buses will run at the regular dismissal time both days.

Please plan ahead, arrive on time for your exams, and finish the semester strong!

Monday 11/10/2025

SBHS National Honor Society: SBHS Cafeteria; 5:30 PM

Tuesday 11/11/2025

No Activities: Veterans Day

Wednesday 11/12/2025

SBHS FFA: @ Wall; 10:30 AM

Thursday 11/13/2025

SBHS Volleyball: SoDak 16 @ Harrisburg; TBD

Friday 11/14/2025

End of the Trimester

Saturday 11/15/2025

SBHS Oral Interp: @ St Thomas More; 9:00 AM

The National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes U.S. high school students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Membership is determined by local faculty councils based on academic achievement, community service, and personal integrity. NHS members have opportunities to develop leadership skills, participate in community projects, and earn scholarships.

November 10: National Honor Society Induction; 5:30 PM

November 10: Deadline for seniors wanting to participate in the Senior Art Show must sign up with either Mrs. Somervold/Mrs. White. Works can vary from projects completed in school to works done outside of school. All mediums welcome!

Deadline November 11: Students that signed up for second trimester School to Work need to see Mrs. Dschaak in room 132 to pick up paperwork before Nov. 11th.

NOW - November 21: FCCLA is hosting a food drive throughout the month of November ending on the 21st. They are accepting nonperishable food items and will be donated to the local Kiwanis families during the upcoming holiday season. You can locate the donation boxes by the front office.

November 13: Anyone interested in girls basketball, there will be a parent meeting @ %:30 PM in Room 100.

November 13 & 14: End of the Trimester. Students will have an abbreviated Schedule for testing days.

November 14: FCCLA Ironman Volleyball Tournament. Check your Google Classroom for more information and to sign up your team.

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

ASVAB Test: Junior or Seniors interested in taking the ASVAB test, stop in Student Services to sign up. The ASVAB test is free, and is a multiple-choice test that measures aptitude and knowledge for career paths in military and other vocational fields.

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 recognize the October Student and Staff of the Month. These individuals exemplify the school’s core values through their hard work, positive attitude, and dedication to excellence.

Sturgis Brown High School hosted a heartfelt Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 6, bringing together students, staff, community members, and local veterans in a powerful tribute to those who have served our nation. The event was organized by members of the local National Guard and featured performances by the SBHS band and choir, whose musical selections added a solemn and reflective tone to the morning.

One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the “Missing Man Table,” a symbolic tribute honoring fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members. Each element of the display held deep meaning: the round table representing everlasting concern for the missing; a white tablecloth symbolizing the purity of their motives; a single red rose and ribbon standing for love, remembrance, and determination; a yellow ribbon for hope of their return; and a slice of lemon and pinch of salt symbolizing the bitterness of loss and the tears shed by families. An inverted glass and an empty chair represented the absence of those who could not return home, while a single candle burned brightly as a beacon of hope.

The program served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those in uniform and the enduring gratitude of the Sturgis community. Through music, symbolism, and reflection, Sturgis Brown High School honored the courage, service, and memory of America’s veterans.

The FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) chapter at SBHS will host the Ironman Volleyball Tournament on November14 at 12:00 PM in the West Gym, featuring teams of 4 boys and 4 girls with a $40 entry fee per team. Half of the proceeds will support the Crisis Intervention Shelter Service (CISS) in Sturgis, while the winning team takes home a cash prize. All are welcome to participate or cheer on the competition, and students can register through their class Google Classroom or contact Kielyn Aker with questions.

The Sturgis Brown High School FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) is hosting a food drive from October 24 to November 21. They are accepting unexpired, nonperishable food items, which will be donated to the local Kiwanis Food Pantry to support families during the upcoming holiday season.

Sturgis FFA Officers Gain Inspiration and Experience at National FFA Convention

The Sturgis FFA Officer Team recently traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the National FFA Convention and experience firsthand the impact FFA has across the nation. The multi-day trip provided students with opportunities to learn, connect, and bring new ideas back to strengthen their local chapter.

On the way to Indianapolis, the team toured Iowa State University, where they explored the university’s equine and beef production programs. The visit offered valuable insight into agricultural education and career opportunities beyond high school.

At the National FFA Convention, members attended the first general session, where they heard messages focused on leadership, empowerment, and service. They also proudly supported Sturgis Brown High School graduate Bennett Gorden, who qualified for nationals in Prepared Public Speaking. In addition, the group attended sessions for Creed Speaking and the Extemporaneous Speaking Finals, gaining inspiration from some of the top FFA members in the country.

The trip also included a stop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where the officers explored the rich history of the Indy 500 and viewed an impressive collection of race cars.

The Sturgis FFA Officer Team returned home with unforgettable memories, new ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose to make a positive impact in their school and community.

The chapter extends a special thank-you to everyone who made this opportunity possible.

Photos by Natalie Yates

Sturgis Brown High School is proud to recognize the students and staff who received Positive Referrals for the month of October. These individuals were acknowledged by teachers and staff for demonstrating exceptional character, kindness, leadership, and respect within the school community. Positive Referrals highlight those who go above and beyond to make a difference through their actions and attitudes.

Congratulations to all recipients for their positive contributions to Sturgis Brown High School!

Pictured Back Row: Carson Williams, Kurtis Capps, Alexis Larson, Teran VanDewater, Evan Juelfs, Ayden Hopkins, Jacob Span. Middle Row: Jayden Patterson, Quinton Kelly, Talia VanDewater, Vin Vatne, Trenton Hagee, Tristan Hagee, Briley Williams, Jade Fontenot-Jensen, Samantha Burkhalter. Front Row: Darren Whitford, Jayden Pyka, Riley Mutter, Ronnie Miranda, Trenton Graf. Not Pictured: Cash Litzen, Grayson Toolen, Gordon Larson, Winn McVay, Kelson Dirk, and staff member Tamara Voight.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY STUDENT CONTESTS

The Meade Sturgis American Legion Auxiliary Unit 33 is inviting students to participate in this year’s Americanism Contests, promoting pride in our country and appreciation for our freedoms.

Two contests are offered:

Poem Writing Contest – open to students in grades 3–6
Essay Writing Contest – open to students in grades 3–12; COVER SHEET & RULES

Both contests provide an excellent opportunity for students to express their patriotism through writing. Cash prizes are awarded at the local, district, state, and national levels for essay entries.

All entries are due February 1, 2026, and should be submitted directly to: Carol Edwards. Unit President, Meade Sturgis American Legion Auxiliary Unit 33.

Mail submissions to:

Carol Edwards, President

Meade Sturgis Unit 33

American Legion Auxiliary

20616 Maitland Road

Lead, SD 57754

Students are invited to take part in the NASA TechRise Student Challenge, a free national competition for grades 6–12 that gives students the chance to design and fly their own experiments on a Virgin Galactic suborbital spacecraft or a World View Enterprises high-altitude balloon.

Teams, guided by an educator, will submit experiment ideas for a chance to be one of 60 winning teams that receive $1,500 in funding, a spot on a NASA-sponsored flight, and technical support from NASA TechRise advisors. No prior experience is needed—just creativity and curiosity!

The challenge gives students hands-on experience with the same processes used by professional researchers, building real-world skills in science, technology, and innovation. In the 2024–25 challenge, over 530 students from all 50 states and territories transformed their ideas into working experiments.

👉 Learn More:

View last year’s winners and projects, including South Dakota’s Lower Brule High School, at NASA TechRise 2024 Gallery.
Educators can sign up for updates or download the challenge flyer at the NASA TechRise Website.
For questions or additional resources, email techrise@futureengineers.org.

This is a fantastic opportunity for SBHS students to reach for the stars—literally! 🌌

Key Dates & Information

Students interested in leadership, public speaking, law enforcement, or marksmanship have several exciting opportunities through the American Legion this school year:

Oratorical Contest – Students can showcase their public speaking skills by competing in the annual oratorical contest. Post-level contests must be completed by December 22, 2025, and district contests by January 26, 2026. Assigned topics and details can be found at legion.org or sdlegion.org/oratorical-scholarship.
Boys State – Scheduled for May 25–29, 2026, Boys State provides an immersive experience in government and leadership for high school juniors and seniors (who have not previously attended). Registration is online at sdlegion.org/boys-state. The $250 fee is paid by the local Legion post. Learn more at southdakotaboysstate.org.
Youth Trooper Academy – Taking place June 22–26, 2026, this program gives students a hands-on look at law enforcement careers. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, and only 24 students statewide will be selected. Applications are due March 21, 2026, at sdlegion.org/sd-youth-trooper-academy.
Junior Shooting Sports – Open to male and female youth under 18 (or high school seniors up to age 20), this program promotes discipline and marksmanship using the .177 caliber air rifle. Participants can advance through postal matches to compete in the National Championship, held each July at Hillsdale College in Michigan. More information is available at sdlegion.org/shooting-sports.

These programs offer excellent opportunities for students to develop leadership, citizenship, and teamwork skills while representing their school and community.

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!