February student of the month excels in the arts

Heartland is pleased to announce Kalie Ward, a senior at Sioux Valley High School in Volga, SD, as our February student of the month. Nominated by her band director, Ward is recognized for her devotion to the arts and willingness to help others.

“Kalie has a strong passion for the arts and has been a leader to everyone,” said Sioux Valley Director of Bands Stephanie Oeltjenbruns. “She spends many extra hours before and after school helping classmates and younger students on their music and art projects.”

Ward is active in jazz, concert and community band as well as concert choir and the school play. After graduation, she plans to study music education in college with hopes to become a band teacher. In her free time, she enjoys singing, gaming, reading and saxophone lessons. She is the daughter of Rod Ward.

The “Student of the Month” is awarded through a partnership of Heartland and KJAM Radio in Madison, and recognizes exceptional students in one of five area school districts. Heartland provides wholesale power to the cities of Arlington, Colman, Howard, Madison and Volga, all of which are in the KJAM listening area. Each month of the school year, Heartland will present an outstanding student from one of these schools with a recognition certificate and a small token, and advertisements announcing the winning student will air on KJAM radio for one week. Officials from each participating school nominate students for the award. This is the fourth year Heartland and KJAM have teamed up to offer this program.