Our Young People

Cochran honored as top state academic

Published by admin on Wed, 05/06/2026 - 2:16pm

The class of 2026’s top one percent of graduating seniors were recognized recently at the 36th Annual Academic Excellence Recognition luncheon for their academic achievements throughout their high school career. Among those honored was Custer High School’s Sam Cochran.
Gov. Larry Rhoden’s office and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) honored students identified as the top one percent of their senior class, from the state’s public, private and tribal/BIE schools.

Hive to Pride 5K Fun Run May 3

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:39pm

Run, walk, eat and win at the Hive to Pride 5K Fun Run May 3, starting at 1 p.m. This event is a scholarship fundraiser for a Custer High School graduate who previously attended Hermosa School, presented by Hermosa School’s eighth-grade leadership class.  
“In the leadership class,” eighth grader Brianna Anderson said, “we focus on giving back to our community and making fundraisers. One of our fundraisers was the haunted house food drive, where we had a haunted house, and people brought a can of food.” 

Anderson, Lent receive scholarship

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:26pm

Two Custer County residents have been named receipients of the 2026 Franklin Krause New Horizons Scholarship. The scholarship selection committee awarded three scholarships to students whose educational goals, work ethic and commitment to serving others reflect the spirit of the New Horizons Scholarship. 
Among the three were Carianna Anderson of Hermosa, recipient of a $1,500 scholarship; and Madisyn Lent of Custer, recipient of a $1,250 scholarship.

Making an impact on freshman

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 9:48am
Nearly 200 students from Hill City, Custer, Hot Springs and Edgemont attended this year’s Freshman Impact program hosted at Crazy Horse Memorial. The one-day prevention program, aimed at young teenage students, promotes education on the consequences of underage drinking, drug use and distracted driving.

Checking in on calving season

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 4:37pm

I woke up at 12 a.m., tired but ready to check the heifers that laid lazily in the lot. My dad had put cameras up so we can check the heifers from our phones. It’s pretty handy! I check the heifers from the cameras first so I can see if I need to go inspect. I didn’t see any calves, but a heifer laying on her side, so I walked outside to investigate. 
By the time I got out there, all the heifers were standing. I walked through them just to make sure everything was all right. Whatever I saw on the camera must have not been anything. I yawned, and walked sleepily back inside. 

Hill City represented at SkillsUSA

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 1:47pm
Eight high school students represented Hill City at the South Dakota SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference at Michell Technical College April 9-10. 
“Last year, we only took two kids in the carpentry competitions, and this year we were up to eight,” said Career and technical Education (CTE) instructor Travis Santistevan. “That’s a big improvement from last year.”
The event brings hundreds of high school and college students together for the purpose of enhancing their personal skills, workplace skills and technical skills grounded in academics.

Hill City High School prom April 11

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 9:33am
Hill City High School prom is this Saturday, April 11, with a “Mirror Ball Madness,” theme. 
Black lights and disco balls will light up the dance floor. 
“It’s kind of a disco theme, but not disco,” said prom committee advisor Amanda Bair.
This year, grand march will take place in the High School theatre beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees will then be bussed to the Diamond Spur Event Center for dinner and dancing until 11 p.m.

Volunteer to plant saplings in Jasper Fire area

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 2:35pm

Scouting America Life Scout and Senior Patrol Leader Daniel Ferraro, as part of his Eagle Scout Project and in cooperation with the Black Hills Forest Service, is working toward restoring the Jasper Fire area by planting saplings, but he can’t do it alone. Ferraro is looking for around 30 volunteers to sign up for pre-arranged shifts where they will learn how to plant the saplings and start digging. 

Businesses, students to connect at job fair

Published by admin on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 9:42am
Hill City High School is hosting its annual student job fair March 17 in the Bob Burden Gym.
The yearly event creates benefits for both students and local businesses, where the seasonal tourism industry plays a major role in the local economy.
Students are introduced to a wide range of part-time, seasonal and summer jobs available in Hill City and surrounding communities. Tourism-driven jobs often become available as the school year winds down and the influx of visitors begin to arrive, making the timing ideal for students looking to earn income.

Gooding on Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 5:00pm

Abigail Gooding, a sophomore at Custer High School of Custer, is a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders to be held June 24–26, just outside Boston, on the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus.