• Six Groton teams were recently announced as recipients of the South Dakota High School Athletic Association's Academic Achievement Team Award. The SDHSAA Academic Achievement Team Award program is designed to recognize varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups for their academic excellence.
• The award is given out three times a year, for fall, winter and spring activities. Receiving the fall awards was the Volleyball Team, Girls Cross Country Team, Girls Soccer Team, Football Cheerleaders, Boys Cross Country Team, and the Oral Interpretation team. All varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups that participate in SDHSAA sponsored activities are eligible for this recognition program. The Academic Team Award program provides high school students with the opportunity to prove they can be overwhelmingly successful in both academics as well as in athletic and fine arts activities. Varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups that achieve a combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible to receive the award.
• The SDHSAA believes that high school students learn in two distinct ways: inside the classroom and outside the classroom (on the stage and/or athletic field). This academic program creates a positive environment for school teams to have its members excel in the classroom. This program is also meant to motivate students toward academic excellence and to promote academic encouragement from teammates.

• Char Telkamp