Our Young People

He’s grand on the piano

Published by admin on Wed, 11/15/2023 - 10:36am

Some day, Elijas Clark of Custer would like to travel the world playing in an orchestra.
If his run in the South Dakota Music Teachers Association competitions over the past four years is any indication, he’s on the right track.
Clark became a back-to-back champion in his age group at the most recent competition Nov. 4, when he placed first in the advanced category in the senior age division (ages 17-18) at the competition, making it two consecutive years he has placed first in his group. He was second in consecutive years before breaking through with a win a year ago.

Nora Moss wins Kids Write History contest

Published by admin on Wed, 10/25/2023 - 9:42am
Nora Moss, a fourth grader at Hill City Elementary School, can now say she is an award-winning writer since she recently won the West River History Conference’s (WRHC) Kids Write History (KWH) contest.
Every year the fourth graders at Hill City Elementary School participate in the KWH program. 

It’s homecoming week in Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 10:10am

It’s homecoming week for the wildcates, and the fun is already underway. On Monday evening the coronation was held and Ryder Bailey and Bailey Cass were named this year’s homecoming king and queen. Other senior royalty include Robbie Emery, Kai Rusch and Alex Van Horn, Chloe Carder, Shayleigh Forgey and Rachel Miklos.
Lakota Hard Heart and Connor Blume are the junior royalty, Kylee Ellerton and Riley Scott are sophomore royalty and Kylie Bradley and David Lewis are freshman royalty.
Rhett Hartmann and Maggie Frederick-Medlen were the crown bearers for the coronation.

District welcomes new teachers

Published by admin on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 10:35am

This year, Custer School District welcomes nine new teachers, counselors and administrators. The new crew comes from near and far and is made up of veteran educators and some who are new.
Gypsy Petz will replace Michelle Watland as the new Custer Elementary School counselor. Petz has been working with children and families for over 25 years. Most recently she worked as a school counselor in Wyoming for 13 years.
She is from Nemo and grew up in the Hills, and says “coming to Custer is like coming home for me!”

Recent high school grad puts woodworking dream to work

Published by admin on Wed, 08/16/2023 - 11:59am

Kasen Shefield comes from a long tradition of tradesmen, and it’s a tradition he’d like to continue to carry on. With his new woodworking business, By Faith Woodworks, he’s doing just that.
He learned his craft from his father and grandpa, but also said that he’s been learning as he works, even if that means learning from mistakes.
“It’s always kind of been in the genes,” said Shefield.

CHS students attend FCCLA conference

Published by admin on Wed, 08/09/2023 - 11:04am

Custer Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) represented its school and community at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) held at the Colorado Convention Center from July 2-6. This annual event brought together more than 7,900 student members, advisers and guests.
The conference provided Custer FCCLA members with a wealth of opportunities, including attending speaker sessions, engaging in youth workshops, competing on a national level and networking with fellow youth leaders.

CHS athletes play hard, study hard too

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2023 - 11:40am

Student athletes at Custer High School not only play hard, they study hard too, as evidenced by the receipt of many South Dakota High School Activities Association Academic Team Awards for the 2022-23 school year. All but one team at the high school received the award.
Teams qualify for the award when the average GPA of the varsity athletes is at least a 3.0. There was only one team not qualifying, just barely missing the cut-off with a 2.9 GPA.

When does practice start?

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2023 - 11:40am

Well, it’s that time of year again. With the summer beginning to wind down and the fall creeping up, fall sports are now getting started.
High school soccer began practice at 5 p.m. July 31 at the field at the high school.
Competitive cheer will begin practicing Aug. 3 at 8 a.m. at the armory.
Football will begin practice at at 4 p.m. Aug. 7 at the football field. A parents meeting will be held that same day after practice at 7 p.m., also at the field.

Host families sought for exchange students

Published by admin on Wed, 07/26/2023 - 10:47am

Have you ever considered being a host home for an international exchange student?
A local family is welcoming a student into their home for the upcoming school year. After receiving pertinent information about the exchange program, they were able to peruse a variety of student biographies, including photos, a video and a letter from the student to their prospective host family. The student was selected because of her personality and common interests and activities.

Avari Dorrance named rodeo queen

Published by admin on Wed, 07/05/2023 - 12:40pm

“To be honest, it feels pretty amazing. I love the sport of rodeo,” said Avari Dorrance, the new reigning  South Dakota High School Rodeo Queen, on winning the title. She won the crown after competing in the sate finals in Fort Pierre June 11-15.
“It was a great experience,” said Dorrance.
Dorrance was the sole competitor for the title after two others backed out. Still, Dorrance felt it was important to compete for the crown just as she would otherwise, going through all the aspects of the contest.