It’s been another fantastic year for the Aberdeen Public School District!
Throughout 2025, we reported numerous good news items that celebrated achievements by our students and staff. Below, check out our top 10 stories of the year:
1. Aberdeen Central High School senior Esten Foss received a principal nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
2. CHS student Amna George was a State Debate Champion in Informative Speaking and qualified for Nationals, where she placed 4th in expository.
3. ATEC Academy students Porter Kolb and Conner Miller received first place at the South Dakota SkillsUSA state competition and qualified for Nationals.
4. Simmons Middle School student Isabella Carlson was named a National PTA Reflections Winner.
5. CHS senior Kylie Clemens earned first place at the State Educators Rising Conference and qualified for Nationals, earning 7th place in STEM Lesson Planning.
6. CHS Golden Eagle athletes Zachary Bau and Dannica Sheets and Coach Peggy Heermann were selected to participate in the 2026 USA Special Olympics Games.
7. CHS students Connor Austin and Joey Pierce were named Esports State Champions.
8. CHS Oral Interp students Coen Vogel and Faith Waldner both qualified for Nationals.
9. CHS Teacher Eric Pedersen was named the South Dakota Department of Education Special Education Staff of the Year.
10. Lincoln Elementary’s Ashley Seeklander was named South Dakota Counselor of the Year.
Read more about these stories—and many more good news items from around the school district—in the 2025 issues of our News to Know Newsletter!