High School Voices Gain a Direct Vote on Community Grants
Veblen, SD · October 11, 2026
Overcast skies are holding steady across the hills today, leaving plenty of room for an unhurried Sunday drive or a quiet walk along the coulee.
The Lead
When the Britton Area Foundation gathers to award regional grants, two of the votes now belong to local teenagers. The foundation recently expanded its board to nine adult members and formally seated its first student trustees: Britton-Hecla High School senior Carter Chapin and junior Ruthie Moeckly. Rather than serving as advisory voices, both students carry full voting power over community awards, backed by $1,000 post-service scholarships.
Since 1996, the endowment has channeled over $1 million through 250 charitable grants across Marshall County, partnering with the South Dakota Community Foundation to fund civic amenities, youth activities, and historical projects. Board leaders sought out the high schoolers to bring unfiltered perspectives to rural funding priorities. Going forward, the board plans to elect an incoming junior each autumn to maintain constant youth representation on county investments.
Today's Outlook
- High 67°F · Low 51°F — Overcast
- Grab a light jacket for the calm, gray afternoon outdoors.
What's On Around Town
Today
- Fall Foliage Hike Sica Hollow State Park (44950 Park Rd), Sisseton, Daylight hours · Paid Crisp autumn color along the legendary woodland Trail of the Spirits.
Tomorrow
- Constitution Presentation Britton Public Library (759 7th St), Britton, 3:00–5:00 PM
Tuesday
- Old Agency District Day Dakota Connection Casino (46102 SD Highway 10), Sisseton, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Spotlight & Story
- Karie Geyer
- Before she was ordained in October 2021 to lead Our Savior’s Lutheran, Geyer studied communications and theater at SDSU. Today she shepherds three area parishes from Veblen while pushing for rural childcare solutions, frequently seen running local country gravel roads at dawn.
Veblen Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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