Kids’ Chance Awareness Week Nov. 8-12, 2021
Governor Proclaims Kids’ Chance Awareness Week
November 8-12 has been proclaimed Kids’ Chance Awareness Week in South Dakota by Gov. Kristi Noem. Kids’ Chance of South Dakota provides post-secondary and technical school scholarships to the children of South Dakota workers who have been severely or fatally injured in a workplace accident.
The executive proclamation recognizes that Kids’ Chance makes “a significant difference in the lives of children affected by workplace injuries.” The proclamation also seeks “to increase the visibility of Kids’ Chance organizations across the country and to spread the word about Kids’ Chance scholarship opportunities.”
Kids’ Chance of South Dakota is one of 43 such state organizations in the United States. Since its formation in 2016, the nonprofit group has awarded more than $135,000 in scholarships awards to South Dakota students. This year, it awarded eight students scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“Children of severely or fatally injured workers often lose opportunities for secondary education and Kids’ Chance wants to help,” said Jennifer Selzler, president of Kids’ Chance of South Dakota. “At Kids’ Chance, we believe that by investing in our children’s future through higher education, we can provide them with the tools they need to be successful in the workplace. Selzler also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is making an already vulnerable population of students even more so.
2020 Scholarship Winners Announced
Kids’ Chance of South Dakota awarded scholarships to nine children of South Dakotans severely or fatally hurt as a result of a work-related injury. The recipients are:
- Ashlyn DeKnikker. Ashlyn is the daughter of Darlene and the late Tony DeKnikker of Lake Preston. A 2020 graduate of Lake Preston High School, Ashlyn plans to pursue a nursing degree at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown.
- Karley DeKnikker. Karley is also the daughter of Darlene and the late Tony DeKnikker. Karley is entering her senior year at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.
- Tucker Kraft. Tucker is the son of Tausha and the late Doug Kraft of Timber Lake. A 2019 graduate of Timber Lake High School, he is studying biology and secondary education at South Dakota State University.
- Kaylee Kropuenske. Kaylee is the daughter of James and Staci Kropuenske of Viborg. Kaylee is a 2019 graduate of Viborg-Hurley High School. She plans to attend Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls to become a veterinary technician.
- Walker Kropuenske. Walker is the son of James and Staci Kropuenske of Viborg. A graduate of Viborg-Hurley High School, Walker is entering his senior year at South Dakota State University, majoring in architecture.
- Mitchell Schmidt. Mitchell is the son of Brett and Rochelle Schmidt of rural Willow Lake. A 2020 graduate of Willow Lake High School, Mitchell plans to pursue a degree in welding technology at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown.
- Nicolette Schmidt. Nicolette is the daughter of Brett and Rochelle Schmidt of rural Willow Lake. A 2016 graduate of Willow Lake High School, Nicolette is entering her senior year at Northern State University, where she is studying to become a special education teacher.
- Faith Shoemaker. Faith is the daughter of Angela and the late John Shoemaker of Webster. A 2017 graduate of Webster High School, Faith is entering her third year at South Dakota State University, majoring in construction management.
- Riley Thorpe. Riley is the son of Corey Thorpe and Corrynn Teveldal. A 2020 graduate of Baltic High School, Riley is pursuing a biology degree at a South Dakota University with the ultimate goal of becoming a family physician.
Kids’ Chance of South Dakota is a non-profit organization raising funds to provide for educational opportunities for the children of severely or fatally injured workers so they can pursue their education, reach their goals, and fulfill their dreams for the future.