Six area high school seniors have been named to the Marshall County Journal’s 28th 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 Karlie Zuehlke, Ava Teveldal, Maddie Biel and Paisley Bray of Britton-Hecla and Paytyn Marlow and Tucker Jo Hardy of Langford Area.
Britton-Hecla Honorees
Karlie Zuehlke, daughter of Kurt and Shana Zuehlke and TJ and Nikki Stiegelmeier of Britton, has earned a 4.1 GPA at Britton-Hecla. Throughout high school, she participated in volleyball, basketball, track, choir, weight room, and student council activities. Outside of school, she competed in Matchbox Club Volleyball and was active in church youth group, participating in activities such as caroling at nursing homes and assisted living centers, raking leaves, and washing windows for community members. Zuehlke has held leadership roles through student council, helping organize food drives, pantry efforts, and student body activities. She also helped organize the high school homecoming after party, served on the prom committee, and taught Sunday school. Her volunteer efforts have included helping with youth sports camps and assisting with the Pass It On Foundation. Zuehlke said her favorite high school memory was the ninth grade homecoming dance. Following graduation, she plans to attend South Dakota State University to study exercise science in the pre-physical therapy program before continuing her education to become a physical therapist. In 10 years, she hopes to be working as a certified physical therapist, helping others while also raising a family and making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Ava Teveldal, daughter of Jason and Kelly Teveldal of Britton, has achieved a 4.0 GPA at Britton-Hecla. During high school, she participated in volleyball and gymnastics all four years, along with track and choir. Outside of school, she has been active in the JAWS youth group throughout high school. Teveldal served as the Britton Area Snow Queen during her senior year and was also captain of both the volleyball and gymnastics teams. Her community involvement has included helping with youth volleyball and gymnastics programs, teaching Sunday school, and serving as a classroom aide. She said senior homecoming was the highlight of her high school career. Teveldal plans to attend South Dakota State University to major in elementary education. In 10 years, she hopes to be teaching in a small community similar to Britton, coaching or assisting with athletics, and raising a family of her own.
Maddie Biel, daughter of Ryan and Megan Biel of Britton, holds a 3.8 GPA at Britton-Hecla. During high school, she participated in volleyball, basketball, cheer, cross country, track, and also served as a junior snow queen. Outside of school, Biel has been active in 4-H, archery, church youth group, and Sunday school. She has held several leadership roles through 4-H, including serving as president of her club, secretary for Junior Leaders, and vice president of her club. Biel has also assisted with Sunday school activities. Her volunteer work has included participation in ARK (Acts of Random Kindness), where she helped complete service projects throughout the community, as well as Junior Leaders community projects such as cleaning the baseball field. Biel said one of her favorite school memories was finding out Coach Harmony was pregnant while traveling to a football game. After graduation, she plans to attend Lake Area Technical College to study dental hygiene. In 10 years, Biel hopes to be living in South Dakota with a family and working full time as a dental hygienist.
Paisley Bray, daughter of Toni and Dave Mattson and Bill Bray of Britton, has earned a 4.0 GPA at Britton-Hecla. Bray has been active in the all-school play and oral interpretation during high school, while also participating in dance since 2012 and youth group throughout high school. She has served as class president since 2021, demonstrating leadership both in and out of the classroom. Bray’s community involvement has included teaching Sunday school, choreographing the all-school musical, serving as chairperson for the school carnival, and assisting as an under-8 softball coach. She said participating in the all-school plays and musicals was the highlight of her high school career. Following graduation, Bray plans to attend University of Iowa to pursue a degree in human biology with a concentration in pre-medicine. In 10 years, she hopes to be in her second year of medical residency after earning both her undergraduate degree and medical degree.
Langford Area Honorees
Paytyn Marlow, daughter of Travis and Gina Marlow of Britton, has earned a 3.3 GPA at Langford Area. A dedicated athlete throughout high school, she participated in basketball, volleyball, and track for six years each. Outside of school, she competed in softball for four years, baseball for three years, participated in youth group for two years, and was involved in BB gun activities for six years. Marlow served as captain of both the basketball and volleyball teams during her senior year. She has also been active in community service efforts including the food pantry, food drives, and blood drives. Among her honors are membership in National Honor Society, Hope Squad, and recognition as part of the top one percent of graduating seniors in South Dakota at the Annual Academic Excellence Recognition ceremony sponsored by the governor’s office and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. Marlow said the highlight of her high school career was playing sports. Following graduation, she plans to attend Northern State University to pursue a degree in nursing. In 10 years, she hopes to be working in a hospital as a nurse.
Tucker Jo Hardy, son of Chad and JaKelle Hardy of Langford, holds a 3.364 GPA at Langford Area. Hardy has been heavily involved in school activities throughout his academic career, participating in football for six years, wrestling for 12 years, band and choir for seven years each, school play for 16 years, trap shooting for seven years, FFA for three years, track for four years, golf for one year, and yearbook for one year. Outside of school, he has also participated in church youth group for seven years. Hardy has held numerous leadership positions, including band president during his senior year, class president since sixth grade, homecoming king, football team captain, wrestling team captain, and church board trustee. His volunteer work has included running the sound system and slideshow at church each week, moving snow for the church and school, helping set up the gym for school events, assisting with construction work at the local legion, and mowing and weed eating at the city cemetery. Hardy has also earned honor roll recognition throughout junior high and high school. He said the highlights of his high school career were competing at state wrestling with his team and his freshman year homecoming. After graduation, he plans to attend Lake Area Technical College to study building trades. In 10 years, Hardy hopes to be back in Langford working at the lumberyard and continuing to build his career in the family business.
