A publication of the VHS Administration, Activities and Student Services offices.
December 2025 - Vol. 4, Ed. 4
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It's a little hard to believe, the first semester of the 2025-26 school year is nearly in the books! It has been a fun and entertaining fall term with so much happening and students traveling, competing and showing of their incredible skills and talents!
Looking forward to 2026 and the spring semester, there is so much to be excited about! Music competitions will be in full swing, our one-act play presentation of Elephant's Graveyard will happen, Tanager wrestlers, cagers and gymnasts will continue their march toward what we hope will result in post-season competitions, our powerful Tanager Quiz Bowl team will make their spring appearance and even our artists in the building will be in competition at various local and state art events! These birds will be flying high in 2026 and it is always so much fun watching what they achieve and how they do it!
On behalf of the high school staff and administration, we want to wish you and yours a joyous, blessed and safe holiday season and, ... as always - GO, TANAGERS!
Jon
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Once again, we have been blessed with generous support from the Vermillion Public Schools Foundation! On Friday morning, January 9th, Nick "Sunshine" Tokman, who appeared for four seasons on the Discovery Channel show "Deadliest Catch," will speak to the students at VHS and in the afternoon he'll travel across town to VMS.
Tokman's presentation entitled Become Your Captain: Catch Your Future focuses on building students' self worth to empower them to create their own success in life. Tokman is recognized for his constant, upbeat attitude, his unwavering focus on achieving his goals, and his determination in the face of adversity. Though his family did not want him pursuing a career in one of the most dangerous professions, he realized this was HIS life; he had to live it for himself. Four years later after embarking on his journey, after persevering through a series of setbacks and failures, including hospitalization, running out of money and battling homelessness, Nick landed on the very show that inspired him to venture to Alaska.
As a cast member of the Emmy-Winning show, he battled some of the harshest working conditions known to man, including 30-35 foot rogue waves, freezing temperatures, extreme physical labor and 20-hour work days. Nick has proven himself physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of overcoming arduous obstacles.
Nick will speak to the students in both schools and and then give them the opportunity to ask questions and meet him afterward. Friday, We're excited to host Nick in Vermillion and look forward to his message for our students. January 9th promises to be an exciting day filled with "Sunshine!"
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- Dec. 17 - Semester Testing Begins w/Period 7 semester tests at 2:00pm
- Dec. 18 - Semester Testing: Periods 1, 3 & 5
- Dec. 19 - Semester Testing: Periods 2, 4 & 6
- Dec. 20 - Jan. 5 - Christmas/New Years Holiday Break - NO SCHOOL
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- Jan. 5 Staff Inservice - NO SCHOOL
- Jan. 6 Classes Resume with the start of 2nd Semester/Term 3
- Jan. 9 - Nick "Sunshine" Tokman visit to VHS/VMS
- Jan. 19 MLK Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- Feb. 12 Parent/Teacher Conferences 2pm - 8pm
- Feb. 13 Parent/Teacher Conferences 8am - 12pm No afternoon classes
- Feb. 16 President's Day - NO SCHOOL
- Mar. 11 1:30 PM Dismissal - Staff PLT
- Mar. 12-13 Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
- Mar. 17 - ACT Testing - ALL JUNIORS @ USD
- Apr. 2 1:30 PM Dismissal - Staff PLT
- Apr. 3-6 Easter Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- April 11 - Prom, Grand March 7:15pm
- May 6 - Senior Awards, VHS Auditorium 2pm
- May 11 - 12 Senior Final Exams
- May 14 - Graduation Practice, Sanford Coyote Sports Center, 10:00am
- May 16 - Graduation, Sanford Coyote Sports Center, 1:30 PM
- May 18 - Final Exams Gr. 9-11
- May 19 - Final Exams Gr. 9-11
- May 20 - Final Exams Gr. 9-11, Last Day, Complete check-out by 1:30pm
- May 21 - Staff Inservice - NO SCHOOL
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Visual Media Marketing is one of the most unique classes here at Vermillion High School. It is the capstone class where the Art and Business courses Intro to Business, Graphic Design come together. In it, the students operate a business called "Caged Creations." In it, students are given a chance to handle various aspects of running a business from printing and pressing, to cashing checks and making social media posts, students are given opportunities to be a part of every aspect of a business.
Sophia Garelik, a junior, who has been part of the program for several semesters shared that, “Caged Creations is where you can express your creative freedom in making shirts, objects, or anything printable. The daily classwork is whatever project you decide to take on. People place orders and you claim them as your own and work independently or with friends. My favorite part of the process is customers seeing the finished product and them being happy with my work. I would recommend this class to others because it is very creatively stimulating.”
The classes were started by high school art teacher, Dr. Grant Riedel and business teacher, Sara Rohde.
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department (a department composed of Dr. Riedel, Ms. Rohde, Ms. Armbrust, and Mr. Neitzke) received a large donation from the Vermillion Public School Foundation which allowed for the purchase of a laser engraver, Clay 3D printer, a direct to garment printer, and a vinyl printer. Riedel and Rohde realized that there was an opportunity to teach students skill sets applicable to the workplace in the real world. Unfortunately, getting a large group of students willing to do the labor in a brand new class that requires that you take four other classes, is far from an easy sell. This was the obstacle to getting the class started. However, enough students decided to take the risk and experience all that Caged Creations would have to offer.
Many fail to realize just how many items the program produces. Several items in the VHS Booster Club merchandise cabinet, the posters and shirts for the plays, the various band and sports banners that line the main hall - all of these were created by students in working in Caged Creations.
There are various ways the class finds customers. First, someone can come to Caged Creations with a project to commission, or a student has an idea they “pitch” to one of the instructors. Dr. Riedel said “The only limit is whatever ideas you’ve got rumbling in your head.” From there, the ideas are workshopped and brainstormed before being sent into production.
by Charlie Gray-Lobe
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In the spring of 2024, Kim Johnson, Vermillion School District’s Curriculum Director applied for a Perkins Grant. When the grant was funded in the summer later that year, she was able to purchase a cutting edge, college-level Anatomage Table for use by Mrs. Wallin, a VHS Science teacher, in her biology and anatomy classes.
The table is able to display an in-depth 3D model of the human body and the different systems inside of it. The table has a database of 3D scans and models based off of real cadavers that it displays on its digital/monitor surface.
Students can participate in active learning with virtual dissections and quizzes made by other teachers or already built into the table. For example, students can learn how a stroke affects the human body and what systems specifically are affected. The table can highlight specific systems of the body, or even specific bones.
Mrs. Wallin uses the table in her Health Careers and Anatomy Physiology courses. She highly recommends these classes to anyone interested in science, medicine, or those who just want to learn more about the body and how it works.
High school junior, Calie Schultz, says “We used it to label bones, structures, and see the body systems in 3-D” and that it “made learning more engaging,” Calie is currently taking Anatomy/Physiology class.
by Evander Johnson
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Jon Manning: Activities Assistant / BBB Manager
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Overall, the fall 2025 activities have been a successful campaign. The Tanagers competed with some of the toughest competitions in the State. Throughout the fall, the Tanagers demonstrated teamwork, determination, and resilience.
The boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams wrapped up an impressive season. Both the Dakota Xll Conference, Region 3A, and State meet had some outstanding performances. The Tanager boys and girls finished 4th at the highly competitive Dakota XII Conference meet. Region 3A resulted in the boys finishing in 2nd place and girls in 3rd place. At the State meet the boys team finished in 8th place and the girls team finished in 10th place. Individual results for those events:
- Gage Beverly finished in 1st at conference and regions, 23rd at State
- Sam Sorensen finished in 27th at conference, 3rd at regions 20th at State
- Ben Quail finished 22nd at conference, 11th at regions, 60th at State
- Sean May finished 33rd at conference, 25th at regions, 82nd at State
- Callie Radigan finished in 8th at conference, 3rd at regions, and 11th at State
- Eleanor Anderson finished 13th at conference, 5th at regions, and 29th at State
- Beatriz Hernandez-Lucas finished 25th at conference, 21st at regions, and 72nd at State
- Lydia Anderson finished 28th at conference, 27th at regions, and 94th at State
- Carson Severson finished 33rd at conference, 25th at regions
The girls’ soccer team had several young players that gained valuable experience. They also had one of the toughest class A schedules. The girls were defeated in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The boys’ soccer team had another successful season. There were high expectations coming off their first state championship last year. Battling against some of the best of class A and AA, the Tanagers come up short losing in the semifinals.
The girls’ tennis team had another great showing at the state tournament. The girls finished in 4th place overall. Only St. Thomas More, Rapid City Christian, and Sioux Falls Christian finishing higher. Here are the results of the singles and doubles competition:
- Sakarra White-Davis finished 7th in flight 1
- Katie Yoon finished 3rd in flight 2
- Evie Auen finished 5th in flight 3
- Delaney Smidt finished 5th in flight 4
- Ellie Holdhusen finished 2nd in flight 5
- Shelan Hinseth finished 3rd in flight 6
- Ellie Holdhusen and Katelyn Proefrock finished in 2nd place flight 3
- Delaney Smidt and Shelan Hinseth finished as consolation champion flight 2
- Sakarra White-Davis and Katie Yoon finished in 4th place in flight 1
The Tanager football team battled with every opponent. The younger players experience could become a strength going into next season. They fell short of qualifying for state playoffs.
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The Tanager boys golf team brought home several trophies this season. The boys won the Dakota Xll Conference meet by 24 strokes with a team score of 290. Region 2A was won by the Tanager golf team with a score of 290. The State meet was a battle and the Tanagers finished in 2nd place. Trey Hansen, Cooper Girard, Rylan Moran, Jack Johnson, Jeran Carr, and Reid Reuvers were the varsity golfers.
October was a busy month for VHS thespians. The first weekend saw actors waving their magic wands as they presented the play Sally Cotter and Censored Stone by Dean O'Carroll, and they wrapped up the month performing their own haunted version of Alice in Wonderland as part of the Vermillion Drama Booster's annual haunted house fund-raiser.
This year The Pride of Vermillion Marching Band competed in 3 parade competitions and 2 field competitions:
Parade
- Beresford Marching Fest - 2nd Place & Caption awards for Best Winds and Percussion
- March to the Meridian - 2nd Place
- Dakota Days Parade - 2nd Place
Field
- March to the Meridian - 2nd Place
- Quad State - 3rd Place & Caption award for Best Percussion
Vermillion Choir performed at Apple Polishing Concert on October 20th. Rhythm In Red also performed at Coronation and was a featured performance at the SD Music Educators Conference on November 1st. Elizabeth Fisher, Gary Merkwan, Katelyn Oyen, Henry Mollman, Ellie Holdhusen, Isaac Mayrose, Thea Jennewein, and Teddy Nesmith represented Vermillion at SD All State Chorus.
Jason Huska, Activities Director
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Vermillion Public Schools would also like to remind parents of yearly physical/consent forms required to participate in athletics. Each athlete must complete a physical before participation. Parents and students need to be aware of the Activities/Athletics handbook policy. Each student athlete will have the policy explained to them. Adult and Student activity tickets will be available at the high school, administration building, or at various sporting events. Cost for the activity tickets is $50.00 for adults and $25.00 for students. The Vermillion School District is offering a family activity pass for $120. (Card readers will be available for credit card use) If you have any questions, please call Vermillion High School. We look forward to a great 2025-2026 school year and GO, TANAGERS! |
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Seniors visit Student Services to check out the Scholarship Wall!
Also check out these links to more scholarship opportunities-
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The following are due dates for the 2025-26 ACT testing dates: |
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What are the deadlines for filling out the FAFSA® form?
Federal Deadlines
The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2026. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 12, 2026.
College Deadlines
Each college and career/trade school may have its own deadline. Check with the school you’re interested in attending. You may also want to ask about the school’s definition of an application deadline. For example, the deadline could be the date your FAFSA form is processed or the date the school receives your processed FAFSA data.
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The SD Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $7,500 over four years to a qualifying student who attends an eligible higher education institution in South Dakota. The scholarship is distributed at the beginning of fall semester and the other half is distributed at the beginning of the spring semester:
- $1,500 – 1st year of attendance
- $1,500 – 2nd year of attendance
- $1,500 – 3rd year of attendance
- $3,000 – 4th year of attendance
There are two ways a student can become eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship:
Option 1:
- Be a resident of South Dakota.
- Have an ACT Composite or Super Score of 24 or higher. · Complete the high school course requirements with no final grade below a “C” and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 prior to graduation.
- Attend an accredited university, college, or tech school in South Dakota.
- Enter the program within 5 years of high school graduation.
Option 2: (has a higher ACT requirement, but no curriculum or GPA requirement)
- Be a resident of South Dakota.
- Have an ACT Composite or Super Score of 28 or higher and meet the ACT college readiness benchmarks scores equaling or exceeding 18 for English, 22 for Reading, 22 for Math, and 23 for Science.
- Attend an accredited university, college or tech school in South Dakota.
- Enter the program within 5 years of high school graduation.
Participating Institutions:
- Augustana University
- Black Hills State University
- Dakota Wesleyan University
- Dakota State University
- Lake Area Technical College
- Mount Marty University
- Mitchell Technical College
- National American University
- Northern State University
- South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
- South Dakota State University
- Southeast Technical College
- University of South Dakota
- University of Sioux Falls
- Western Dakota Technical College
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