STURGIS BROWN HIGH SCHOOL

Friday 2/13/2026

NO SCHOOL: TEACHER INSERVICE

SBHS Speech & Debate: Gillette, WY; 10:30 AM

SBHS Boys Wrestling: State A Duals @ Pierre; 11:00 CST

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs Hot Springs @ SBHS; 3:30 PM (Senior Night)

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs Hot Springs @ SBHS; 3:30 PM (Senior Night)

Game Link: vs Hot Springs

SBHS Student Council: Bake Sale during basketball game.

Saturday 2/14/2026

SBHS Speech & Debate: Gillette, WY: 10:30 AM

SBHS Freshman Girls Basketball: Freshman Extravaganza @ Spearfish; 9:00 AM

SBHS Freshman Boys Basketball: Freshman Extravaganza @ Spearfish; 9:00 AM

Monday 2/16/2026

No School

NHS Pickleball Tournament

Tuesday 2/17/2026

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs Belle Fourche @ Belle Fourche; 3:30 PM

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs Belle Fourche @ Belle Fourche; 3:30 PM

Wednesday 2/18/2026

SBHS Career Fair: West Gym; 8-12:00 PM

SBHS Choir & Band: Solo Ensemble @ Rapid City; All Day

SBHS College Signing Day: SBHS Cafeteria @ 3:30 PM

Thursday 2/19/2026

SBHS Speech & Debate: District Qualifier @ Cheyenne, WY

SBHS Girls Basketball: vs RC Central @ Rapid City; 3:30 PM

SBHS Boys Basketball: vs RC Central @ Rapid City; 3:30 PM

Friday 2/20/2026

SBHS Speech & Debate: District Qualifier @ Cheyenne, WY

SBHS Girls Wrestling: Regionals @ Rapid City; TBD

Saturday 2/21/2026

SBHS Speech & Debate: Gillette, WY: 10:30 AM

SBHS Boys Wrestling: Regionals @ Rapid City; TBD

Driver's Education Classes: Information on Driver's Education will be coming out soon. Currently, we are still finalizing the dates and times.

YLT Poster Design Competition: To compete, you just have to design a poster to represent teen dating violence and turn it into the Student Services Office. The winning prize is a $50 visa gift card.

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.

Enjoy this issue of Bear Butte Breezes! Explore articles on the Parade of Lights, Christmas traditions, Spanish Club news, the Sturgis Brown High School Recognition Assembly, and so much more.

Please join us in congratulating the Sturgis Brown High School speech and debate team for an outstanding showing at the Rapid City Speech and Debate Tournament. The team earned 2nd place overall, a tremendous accomplishment that reflects their hard work, preparation, and dedication. Competing against strong programs, our students demonstrated excellence across a wide range of events and represented Sturgis Brown with pride and professionalism.

Individual highlights were impressive across the board. In Domestic Extemporaneous, Ian Johnson placed 6th and Hunter Scott earned 1st place. International Extemporaneous saw Cade Tallmage finish 5th and Riley Carlson take 1st. In Oratory, Miranda Rude placed 6th and Madisyn Richter earned 1st, while Informative Speaking featured a 1st-place finish from Marcus Roache and a 3rd-place finish from Clara Kruger. In Congressional Debate, Wynter Thomason advanced to the semifinals and also earned 2nd place in Poetry and 3rd place in Program of Oral Interpretation (POI).

Congratulations to all of these students on their remarkable performances and well-deserved success.

The Scooper Thespian Society delivered a standout performance of Schoolhouse Rock at the State One Act Festival on February 6, playing to a completely full house of approximately 1,000 audience members. The energetic production drew an enthusiastic response, with applause erupting at the end of each musical number.

The overwhelming crowd reaction reflected the hard work and dedication of the entire company, both onstage and behind the scenes. In recognition of their exceptional behind-the-scenes contributions, the Scooper Thespian Society was awarded a Superior Award for Technical Theater. Students receiving this honor were Kate Bestgen, Kaitlyn Brown, Grace Schiferl, Aydyn Key, Frederick Weishaar, Anastie Allen, Masea Overweg, Isabella Bialota, and Elizabeth Hamman.

Additionally, ten performers were recognized for their excellence onstage, each earning a Superior Medal for Outstanding Acting. These honors were awarded to Eric Schneller, Jody Loomis, Lukus Harms, Vivian Anderson, Destiny Plunkett, Abby Dodson, Abby Smith, Elise Henrichsen, Hannah Johnson, and Addie Hill.

With a packed audience, thunderous applause, and multiple superior awards, the Scooper Thespian Society’s performance of Schoolhouse Rock proved to be a major success and a proud moment for the program at this year’s State One Act Festival.

This week's KBHB/Kwik Mart Athlete of the Week is Benjamin Nadig of the Scooper Wrestling Team! Nadig maintains his No. 1 spot in the Class A 150-pound rankings, according to Dakota Grappler. The sophomore is currently 29-1 and recently won the Belle Fourche Invitational.

Sturgis Brown High School will recognize several outstanding student-athletes who will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The event will take place at SBHS on Wednesday, February 18. The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the SBHS Cafeteria and is open to students, staff, families, and community members who wish to support and celebrate these athletes’ accomplishments.

The following Sturgis Brown High School athletes will be honored:

Hunter Johnson – Division I Swimming
Quinn Bruch – Cross Country & Track
Iris Zylstra – Soccer
Kelson Dirk – Wrestling
Parker Graveman – Wrestling
Brooklynn Baird – Wrestling
Sully Jost – Football

This milestone reflects years of dedication, hard work, and support from coaches, teammates, families, and the Sturgis Brown community.

Open period: If a student has an open period, they do not need to come to school for that period. If they are in school, they should be in the library or the Commons. Students are taking tests and they are not to wander the hallways.

Absent and missed a test: If a student is absent from school, they will need to talk with the teacher and schedule a time to make-up for the missed test.

A new community-based initiative, the Scoopmates Mentoring Program, has launched with a mission to strengthen connections, confidence, and community among young people—“one scoop at a time.”

The program pairs youth with supportive adult mentors, known as Scoopmates, who offer guidance, encouragement, and care. Organizers emphasize that mentors are not replacements for parents, guardians, or teachers, nor do they serve as disciplinarians. Instead, Scoopmates join a broader network of caring individuals focused on fostering healthy growth and positive relationships.

Through mentoring, participating youth are supported in achieving academic success, making positive decisions, developing holistically, and building strong self-esteem. The program highlights relationship-building as a cornerstone of its approach, creating a safe and encouraging environment for personal development.

The initiative also underscores the benefits for mentors themselves. According to the program, mentoring is a two-way relationship that offers opportunities for fun, personal growth, improved self-esteem, a stronger sense of purpose, and greater appreciation for diversity and different cultures.

Community members interested in becoming a Scoopmate are encouraged to apply through the program’s application portal, accessible via the QR code featured on promotional materials.

Sturgis Brown High School will host its 18th Annual Career Fair on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 8:00 to 11:45 a.m. in the West Gym. The event will bring together more than 100 businesses, post-secondary institutions, and military representatives to provide students with valuable insight into future career and education opportunities.

Students attending the fair will have the chance to explore a wide range of career paths, learn about training and educational options after high school, and engage directly with professionals from various industries. Organizers encourage students to come prepared with meaningful questions and to dress for success as they take part in this hands-on learning experience.

The annual career fair continues to be a key opportunity for Sturgis Brown students to connect classroom learning with real-world possibilities and begin planning for their futures.

For more information, contact Sturgis Brown High School at 605-347-2686.

Junior Achievement of South Dakota and Sturgis Brown High School have partnered to bring JA Finance Park simulation to students on April 16, 2026! This hands-on, immersive program gives students a meaningful, real-world introduction to personal finance, budgeting, and decision-making — essential skills that will benefit them long after graduation.

During the simulation, students receive a career and life scenario, then work with volunteer mentors to build a monthly budget and learn how to reach financial goals while living within their means. In small groups of 3–6, students rotate through 20 different budget categories, spending about five minutes at each station as volunteers highlight important considerations and real-life trade-offs.

To make this opportunity possible, JA is seeking enthusiastic volunteers from the Sturgis area. Volunteers guide students through everyday financial decisions — from housing and transportation to childcare, savings, and more — helping them understand how choices today shape their financial future.

The time commitment is small, but the impact is significant. Volunteers consistently describe the experience as energizing, meaningful, and a fun way to support local students.

Volunteer at JA Finance Park:

•One 4-hour session — day of training provided, no prep required
Great for individuals or groups of colleagues
A powerful way to help students build confidence in budgeting, saving, and financial decision-making

For more information: contact Jennifer Aman, Junior Achievement, 605-336-7318. Sign up today: JA Finance Park Date Options.

Bringing JA Finance Park to Sturgis Brown High School students is a promising and encouraging step forward in expanding financial literacy education in western South Dakota. Community involvement makes lessons and learning experiences like this possible. JA of South Dakota is proud to partner with Meade School District to provide students with this transformative experience.

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!