STURGIS BROWN HIGH SCHOOL

Monday 5/4/2026

SBHS Softball: vs. Spearfish @ Spearfish; TBD

SBHS Band: Spring Band Concert @ SBHS West Gym; 7:00 PM

SBHS Golf: @ Pierre; TBD

SBHS JV Baseball: vs. RC Stevens C @ Rapid City; 5:00/7:00 PM

Tuesday 5/5/2026

SBHS JV Track: @ Sturgis; 10:00 AM

SBHS Baseball: vs. Spearfish @ Spearfish; JV 5:00/V 7:00 PM

Wednesday 5/6/2026

Late Start: Staff Inservice

Thursday 5/7/2026

SBHS Girls Golf: @ Hot Springs CC ; TBD

SBHS Yearbook Banquet: @ SBHS Cafeteria ; 5:30-7:30 PM

Friday 5/8/2026

SBHS Softball: vs. Brookings/Watertown @ Brookings; 2:00/5:30 PM

SBHS Varsity Baseball: vs. RC Central @ Rapid City; 5:00/7:00 PM

SBHS JV Baseball: SDHSBA JV State Tournament @ Sioux Falls; TBD

Saturday 5/9/2026

SBHS Softball: vs. Mitchell/Yankton @ Mitchell; 10:30 AM/2:00 PM

SBHS Track: BH Track Classic @ Woodle Field; 9:00 AM; SENIOR DAY

SBHS Varsity Baseball: vs. Douglas @ Sturgis; 1:00 PM

SBHS JV Baseball: SDHSBA JV State Tournament @ Sioux Falls; TBD

SBHS Seniors: Please stop by Mrs. Holzbauer's room to pick up your cap and gown.

SBHS Seniors: Please let Judy in Student Services know if you received or are receiving any outside Awards or Scholarships, so we can recognize them at our Awards Program on May 15th. You can stop in or you can email them to her at judy.weisz@k12.sd.us.

SBHS Seniors: There will be a planning meeting on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:40 am in room 124 (Mrs. Keffeler's room) for senior baccalaureate. Any seniors interested in helping with the planning of the baccalaureate service (or are just interested in learning more about it) are welcome to attend.

Game Night Themes for next year: Students help us come up with ideas for next year's game night themes! Thers is a Google Form that can be found in your Google Classroom. Please share your ideas.

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

Students recognized this month include: Jace Abner, Tyler Anthony, Hunter Atkins, Kellyray Bergstrom, Bryson Epperson, Jolene Hoffman, Blake Kaufman, Addison Kossler, Kerrigan Meland, Jasmine Miller, Thomas Relf, Tegan Salazar, Levi Sjomeling, Abbigail Stietz, Grayson Toolen, Max Weisbrod

Pictured: Back Row: Jace Abner, Tegan Salazar, Tyler Anthony, Hunter Atkins, Addison Kossler. Front Row: Thomas Relf, Bryson Epperson, Kellyray Bergstrom, Grayson Toolen, Jasmine Miller.

The South Dakota FCCLA State Leadership Conference, held Sunday, April 26 through Tuesday, April 28, brought together students from across the state to showcase their leadership and career-ready skills. Among the standout participants were Sturgis Brown students Kielyn Aker, Olivia Glover, Alanah Spring, and Avery Thurman, who each earned Gold ratings on their state projects. Demonstrating exceptional preparation and dedication, all four students also placed in the top five in the state for their respective events. Their achievements highlight both their individual commitment and the strength of the Sturgis Brown FCCLA program.

Tom Wheaton, Director of Alumni Affairs at Black Hills State University, recently recognized Deb Cano, a nominee for SBHS Teacher of the Year, with a special gift of BHSU spirit wear. The presentation celebrated Cano’s accomplishments in education as well as her connection to the university as a proud BHSU alumni. The gesture highlighted the strong bond between the institution and its graduates, honoring Cano’s dedication both as an educator and as a representative of the university’s community.

The Sturgis FFA Chapter made an impressive showing at the 98th State FFA Convention, bringing home multiple awards and recognitions across a wide range of competitions.

A total of 30 Sturgis FFA members competed in eight different career development event teams, including horse evaluation, livestock evaluation, range plant identification, natural resources, milk quality and products, floriculture, agricultural mechanics, and veterinary science. Their strong participation highlighted both the depth and diversity of talent within the chapter.

Individually, two members earned top-20 finishes in their respective contests. Rowan Lutz placed 16th in the Milk Quality and Products competition, while Natalie Yates secured an impressive 10th-place finish in Livestock Judging.

The Range Plant Identification team delivered a standout performance, capturing 1st place overall and securing back-to-back state championships for Sturgis FFA in the contest. Team members Ian Cammack (3rd), Chloe Cammack (6th), Jacob Popkes (11th), and Auburn Treloar (14th) each placed in the top 15 individually, contributing to the team’s dominant finish.

Overall, the convention marked a successful and memorable experience for the Sturgis FFA Chapter, showcasing the hard work, skill, and leadership of its members on a statewide stage.

Hands Are Not For Hitting is a student-led project presented by the FCCLA chapter at Sturgis Brown High School. Through an engaging puppet show, students taught younger children how to manage their anger in positive and healthy ways.

The performance was a big hit—children were captivated by the puppets and found the show both fun and memorable. Along the way, they learned a simple rhyme to reinforce the message and were encouraged to share ideas for what they can do instead of hurting others when they feel upset. FCCLA members led every aspect of the project, creating an interactive experience that made an important lesson stick.

Black Hills State University’s Career Development office will host its 2026 College & Career Discovery Camp June 1–4, supported in part by a U.S. Department of Education Rural Postsecondary Economic Development grant. The camp offers academic sessions led by faculty, a field trip to the Sanford Underground Research Facility, and activities like a pool party and painting night. Students will stay on campus to experience college life.

Open to incoming high school students, the camp has a $50 non-refundable registration fee, which includes lodging, meals, transportation for the field trip, and BHSU gear. For more information and a link to register please go to https://BHSU.edu/University-Resources/Summer-Camps.html

SVB Parents Meeting

For all parents of 2026–2027 (9th–12th grade)
Date: Wednesday, May 13th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: East Gym

Open Gyms

Mondays from 6:00–8:00 PM
Starting May 4th
Location: West Gym

SWMS Commitment Day

Date: Wednesday, May 6th
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Middle School Office Lobby

The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce invites community members to attend an upcoming School Board Election Forum on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Williams Administrative Building – Board Room located at 1230 Douglas Street, Sturgis, SD.

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 13 - Baccalaureate 6:30 PM at the Sturgis Community Center (any seniors who would like to speak or help with the service, see Mrs. Keffeler or Mrs. Buchholz)
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!