05/08/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Pierre Educational Foundation hosted its annual Evening of Excellence on Thursday, May 7th at Larkspur Landing.
The Evening of Excellence recognized the top students of the 2026 graduating class as Scholars of Excellence. Each of these students have achieved a 3.75 grade point average or better through their academic career.
The Evening of Excellence also recognized 21 educators nominated for the BankWest Educator of Excellence. The nominees are selected by the 2026 Scholars of Excellence. Nominations are based on the educator’s impact on the education and lives of the students. Charis Blanchette was named the 2026 BankWest Educator of Excellence Award in recognition of her impact on the students in the Class of 2026 and many classes before. The $1,500 award is sponsored by BankWest.
The event also announced the winners of over $159,000 in scholarships awarded by the Pierre Educational Foundation. These scholarships are made possible by donor endowed funds to support graduates in furthering their education. Scholarships recipients included:
The Pierre Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship ($1,000) – Charlotte Hull
Charles “Lindy” and Shirley Feeney Scholarship ($1,000) – Charlee Williams- Smith
Dennis and Shirley Eisnach Scholarship ($1,000)- Hadley Hart
Herbert and Irene Emde Family Scholarship ($1,000) – Nora Allen
Pierre Educational Foundation Bonus Scholarship ($1,500) – Ella Oxford
Edith and Richard Warder Scholarship ($2,000) –Alex Oedekoven
Mortenson Family Scholarship ($2,000) – Logan Griffith
Spilde Family Scholarship ($2,500) – (College/University) – Riley Berg
Spilde Family Scholarship ($2,500) – (Vocational or Technical) – Amara Dell
Jacobson Rise Up Scholarship ($3,500)- Clare Madsen
James and Gertrude Mueller Scholarship Fund ($3,500) – Grace Fischer
Alvin Benesh Engineering Scholarship ($4,000) – Crisper Moses
Schliessmann Family Scholarship ($4,000) – Carter Merrill
Shaw Family Scholarship ($5,000) – Charlotte Hull
Shaw Family Scholarship ($5,000)- Alex Oedekoven
Swan Family Scholarship ($5,000)- (Vocational or Technical) – Amara Dell
Swan Family Scholarship ($5,000) –(College/University) - Carter Merrill
Marjorie and Fritz Forney Scholarship ($10,000) – Clare Madsen
Brabander Family Scholarship ($10,000) – Adriana Spears
Brabander Family Scholarship ($10,000) – Clare Madsen
Evelyn Benesh Music Scholarship ($40,000) – Tiger Duinkherjav
Evelyn Benesh Music Scholarship ($40,000)- Madilynn Fischer
The 2026 Evening of Excellence was sponsored by BankWest, Bachand & Hruska, P. C., Brakke Financial Services, Brosz Engineering, Cathy Sonnenschein Properties, Central Dakota Eyecare, Century Business Products, Delta Dental, Edward Jones – Carol Gengler, Financial Advisor, Oahe Federal Credit Union, Puetz Design & Build, Rice & Associates, Riter Rogers, and Slumberland Furniture.