SDSD Foundation Scholarships
South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation awards scholarships to students who have received services from South Dakota Services for the Deaf, are high school seniors, and have provided service to their school and community. There have been many past recipients from around the state of South Dakota.
2023 Scholarship Recipients
Brooklyn Nepodal of Platte is the recipient of the $2,000 Kevin Roth Scholarship awarded by the South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation. Brooklyn plans to attend South Dakota State University, majoring in pharmacy, hoping to become a pharmacist. While at SDSU, Brooklyn intends to join the Fishback Honors College. She aspires to someday open her own retail pharmacy in a small town with little access to healthcare to give back to that specific community. While in high school, Brooklyn was a member of the National Honor Society for three years; Future Farmers of America (FFA) for four years, in which she held offices for three of those years, including President her senior year; she was also a member of Chorus, Band and Girl Scouts. Brooklyn was also active in girls Volleyball and was a statistician for boys basketball.
Chase DeLaRoi of Mobridge is the recipient of the $1,000 SDSD Foundation Scholarship awarded by the South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation. Chase plans to attend Lake Area Technical College. At this time, he is unsure of his major, although he has enjoyed doing some small engine repair work as well as working on cars, etc. He has also had training to help him become better welder and fabricator. Chase is currently a firefighter at the Mobridge Fire Department and has assisted in many different areas
Colby Jones of Brandon is the recipient of the $2,000 Minnehaha Sertoma Foundation Scholarship awarded by the South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation. Colby plans to attend the University of Dayton, majoring in engineering. While in high school, Colby was very active in band, having played in the percussion section since fifth grade and participating in many solo contests. Colby was also a member of the National Honor Society and Math National Honor Society. Colby has volunteered for Kids Against Hunger and various activities through his church. Colby is a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and has also volunteered to help instruct a summer camp at a local daycare. He helped teach young kids the basics of the martial art as well as skills in discipline, respect, and loyalty.
Colby plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering with an undergraduate degree in the School of Business. He hopes to one day use his skills to create an entrepreneurial profession that can remedy the everyday challenges of people similar to himself yet be allowed the freedom to explore the world of music.
Elizabeth Shultz of Platte is the recipient of the $1,000 South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation Scholarship. Elizabeth plans to attend Mitchell Technical College, majoring in agricultural sciences. While in high school, Elizabeth was a member of the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America (FFA), band, jazz band, and volleyball.
Elizabeth hopes to enter the agriculture industry, using her degrees to become an animal nutritionist. Aside from improving the agriculture industry, Elizabeth plans on volunteering through 4-H activities, hoping to impact the agricultural industry positively. She also plans to volunteer to be a 4-H rifle coach. The motto of 4-H is “To Make the Best Better,” and she wants to continue helping other young shooters succeed and have fun.
Theodore “Teddy” Slaba of Wagner is the recipient of the $2,000 South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation Scholarship. Teddy plans to attend the University of South Dakota, majoring in education. While in high school, Teddy participated in many activities, including the National Honor Society, church volunteering, cross country, basketball, baseball, and track. The one thing is most proud of is being a student intern. As a senior, he worked with a teacher to help with younger students. He also volunteered to ref many of their basketball games. In addition, he also coached younger students during the off-season and summer months to help them learn the fundamentals of basketball. This coaching experience was very rewarding to him and helped in his decision to major in education, to be a teacher and a coach.