In an effort to highlight good people doing positive things, the First Lady of South Dakota has presented four Rising Star Awards.
Sandy Rhoden said she received more than 60 nominations.
Rhoden said one award category focused on being healthy.
Tiffany Hoeft with Minds Matter in Aberdeen was the Healthy Rising Star Award recipient.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden (left) and intern Hudson Shaffer (right) present Tiffany Hoeft (center) with the South Dakota Healthy Rising Star Award Jan. 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Rhoden chose innovative as another award category.
Terry Sabers from Salem received the Innovative Rising Star Award.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden presents Terry Sabers with the South Dakota Innovative Rising Star Award Jan. 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Rhoden said sturdy was another category of the South Dakota Rising Star Awards.
Roger and Vicki Musick from Mitchell were presented with the Sturdy Rising Star Award.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden (left) presents Vicki (center) and Roger (right) Musick with the South Dakota Sturdy Rising Star Award Jan. 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
The fourth category people could be nominated for was servant and Rhoden said this category received the most nominations.
Angela Fisk from Emery was recognized as the Servant Rising Start Award honoree.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden (left) presents Angela Fisk (right) with the South Dakota Servant Rising Star Award Jan. 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Narrowing each category down to only one was challenging, so Rhoden said the most fun part of the entire process for her was meeting the award recipients and their nominators.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden presented the South Dakota Rising Awards during a luncheon Friday (Jan. 16, 2026) at the Governor’s Residence in Pierre.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden speaking during her South Dakota Rising Star Award luncheon Jan. 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Rising Star Award luncheon program, Jan. 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Comments