Six area high school seniors have been named to the Marshall County Journal’s 27th Annual All-Area Academic Team. Students from Britton-Hecla and Langford Area were selected for the squad, which recognizes student-citizens from the county schools.
“Our goal is to honor our outstanding students who not only excel in the classroom but who are also good citizens of their communities,” said Journal publisher Doug Card. “Area athletes are frequently named to All-Area, All-Conference, and All-State teams, and we’re pleased to bestow a similar type of recognition for academic achievement on area students.”
This year, students applied to be part of the team and were assessed by an independent panel of judges.
Members of this year’s All-Area Academic Team include Heather Storbakken, Dashel Davidson, Mallory Grupe and Daniel Person of Britton-Hecla and Jordis Jenner and Eliana Darling of Langford Area.
Britton-Hecla Honorees
Heather Storbakken, daughter of Lynn and Rodell Storbakken of Veblen, has achieved a 4.0 GPA at Britton-Hecla. A dedicated student-athlete, she played volleyball for six years and basketball for nine, serving as team captain in both sports her senior year. She also contributed to the yearbook and prom committees. Outside of school, she has been active in 4-H for nine years, holding leadership roles such as president, vice president, and treasurer of her club. She also served as treasurer of her church youth group and played four years of Matchbox Club Volleyball. Heather has volunteered extensively—helping with events like the Veblen Summer Bash, the BAC Easter Egg Hunt, and the community food pantry. She also represented the community as the 2022 Britton-Area Junior Snow Queen and was runner-up in the 2025 Snow Queen competition. Among her honors are Academic All-State in basketball, ECC and NEC All-Conference selections in both volleyball and basketball. Storbakken said the highlight of high school was being part of varsity athletics and forming strong friendships. She plans to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a nursing degree and hopes to be working as a registered nurse in a large healthcare facility in South Dakota in 10 years, with a family of her own.
Dashel Davidson is the son of Tate Davidson and Cristy Davidson of Britton and held a 4.1 GPA. A standout in athletics and the arts, he was a four-year varsity football player and track athlete, six-year varsity wrestler, and acted in the school play all four years. He has also been active in JAWS and ARK youth groups throughout high school. Davidson has held numerous leadership roles, including football captain for two years, wrestling captain for three, senior class president, and class representative for BH Club. He had success in the American Legion Auxiliary’s Americanism Essay Contest, placing locally and at the state level. He said the highlight of high school was the overlap of track and play season, enjoying long, busy days spent with teammates and castmates alike. After graduation, Davidson plans to attend Lake Area Technical College virtually while working at Bray Turf and Landscape, with the goal of eventually entering real estate. In 10 years, he hopes to be managing a second location for Bray and owning or co-owning property.
Mallory Grupe, daughter of Ehren and Sarah Grupe of Britton, holds a 4.1 GPA at Britton-Hecla. She participated in volleyball from 2022 to 2025 and was a four-year member of the basketball team, serving as team captain her senior year. Outside of school, she was active in the JAWS and ARK youth groups and played club volleyball for four years. Her leadership experience includes being junior class president and serving on the freshman student council. Grupe also gave back to her community as a Sunday school teacher and student aide, and she represented her school as a Girls State delegate. She said the highlight of high school was playing sports alongside her teammates and friends. Mallory plans to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead to study finance, having earned the Paseka School of Business scholarship. In 10 years, she hopes to be working in the finance industry and possibly starting a family.
Daniel Person, son of Troy and Lisa Person of Britton, achieved a 4.0 GPA. His activities include football, basketball, track and field, chorus, and band, spanning all four years. Outside of school, he has participated in baseball, soccer, and trap shooting. Person became a team captain in football during his senior year, and regularly stepped into leadership roles across all sports and at his job at Roy Lake State Park. He has also taken on less visible leadership roles by encouraging participation in activities like band and chorus. His service work includes playing in his church’s worship band, helping with the local food pantry and nursing home, and volunteering with youth football, basketball, and baseball programs. Daniel said the highlight of high school was the opportunity to perform and compete for his community while building lasting relationships. He plans to attend Lake Area Technical College to study business entrepreneurship. A decade from now, he hopes to be established in his career, surrounded by family and friends, and actively involved in the things he enjoys.
Langford Area Honorees
Jordis Jenner is the daughter of Tanya Jenner, Ali Tonsfeldt, and the late Jason Tonsfeldt of Britton. She has maintained a 3.9 GPA at Langford Area. During high school, she participated in teen teaching, band and choir all four years, served as junior class president, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also involved in cheerleading, volleyball, golf, and the Snow Queen contest. Outside of school, she has been active in her church’s youth group and worship team. Jenner has volunteered at local state parks, including Fort Sisseton, Sica Hollow, and Roy Lake. She has earned recognition on the honor roll and received principal’s awards. A highlight of her high school years was earning first runner-up at the South Dakota State Snow Queen competition as a freshman. After graduation, she plans to study nursing at Lake Area Technical College. Ten years from now, she hopes to be working as a nurse in the area, with a few dogs and a couple of classic cars.
Eliana Darling, daughter of Casey and Rebecca Darling of Langford, held a 4.0 GPA. A well-rounded student, she participated in volleyball and basketball, served as captain of both teams, and took part in student council, yearbook, and school plays. She was a four-year member of All-State Chorus and Honor Band, and served as marching band drum major for three years. She also took part in Girls State and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she played club volleyball and volunteered through her church’s youth group, worship team, and Vacation Bible School. Her leadership roles include drum major, team captain, VBS leader, and band president. Darling has received numerous honors including Math, Science, and Business Student of the Year awards, superior ratings for vocal solos, and recognition as a Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Scholar of the Week. She was also named Homecoming Queen and reached 1,000 career digs in volleyball. Her high school highlight was playing sports and sharing activities with her sister, Alex. She plans to attend the University of North Dakota to major in Music Education, and hopes to return to the area one day to teach K-12 music.
