Hill City Prevailer

40 graduate at Mount Rushmore

Published by admin on Wed, 05/20/2026 - 11:03am
The fog didn’t dampen the pomp and circumstance of this year’s Hill City Rangers 105th graduating commencement that took place, as always, at the base of Mount Rushmore.
The day kicked off with a bit of fun as Nick Schroeder introduced superintendent Blake Gardner, “the only way a Schroeder in this town knows how.” In his boldest announcing voice, Schroeder continued, “Starting at superintendent, standing six feet tall, weighing 170 pounds, from Winner, South Dakota, making today his masterpiece—it’s Mr. Gardner.”

Making an impact on freshman

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 9:48am
Nearly 200 students from Hill City, Custer, Hot Springs and Edgemont attended this year’s Freshman Impact program hosted at Crazy Horse Memorial. The one-day prevention program, aimed at young teenage students, promotes education on the consequences of underage drinking, drug use and distracted driving.

Hill City represented at SkillsUSA

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 1:47pm
Eight high school students represented Hill City at the South Dakota SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference at Michell Technical College April 9-10. 
“Last year, we only took two kids in the carpentry competitions, and this year we were up to eight,” said Career and technical Education (CTE) instructor Travis Santistevan. “That’s a big improvement from last year.”
The event brings hundreds of high school and college students together for the purpose of enhancing their personal skills, workplace skills and technical skills grounded in academics.

Hill City High School prom April 11

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 9:33am
Hill City High School prom is this Saturday, April 11, with a “Mirror Ball Madness,” theme. 
Black lights and disco balls will light up the dance floor. 
“It’s kind of a disco theme, but not disco,” said prom committee advisor Amanda Bair.
This year, grand march will take place in the High School theatre beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees will then be bussed to the Diamond Spur Event Center for dinner and dancing until 11 p.m.

Businesses, students to connect at job fair

Published by admin on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 9:42am
Hill City High School is hosting its annual student job fair March 17 in the Bob Burden Gym.
The yearly event creates benefits for both students and local businesses, where the seasonal tourism industry plays a major role in the local economy.
Students are introduced to a wide range of part-time, seasonal and summer jobs available in Hill City and surrounding communities. Tourism-driven jobs often become available as the school year winds down and the influx of visitors begin to arrive, making the timing ideal for students looking to earn income.

Hill City’s one act is a class act

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 9:45am
The Hill City High School drama department performed its original One Act play, “The Legends of Sherwood,” for the community Monday night in the high school theater in preparation for the regional competition Jan. 28. 
The South Dakota One Act Play Competition is a long-running, state-wide high school theater event sponsored by the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA). 
It’s one of the biggest theatre showcases in the state and a major highlight for participating drama programs each year. 

Students gave a holly jolly performance

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:35am
Hill City Elementary students delighted a packed Gins Gym Monday evening with their 2025 Christmas Concert, under the direction of music teacher Alyssa Pena and band instructor Chuck Safrit.
“I am so thankful,” said Pena, “to be part of the Hill City community. I was so impressed with how many people showed up for the kids the night of the concert. It means the world to me and the students.” 

Students sweep writing contest for fourth year

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 1:09pm
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has launched its 79th annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy youth scholarship competitions for the 2025-26 school year.
Established in 1947, the essay competition was created to “encourage a better understanding and appreciation for America and to foster patriotism among the nation’s youth,” according to the VFW website. 
The program also rewards successful applicants in the form of individual scholarships and awards at the local, state and national levels. 

Sen. John Thune visits Hill City students

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 10:54am
U.S. Sen. John Thune visited Hill City High School Nov. 24 where he toured the school and shared discussion and pizza with a select group of students representing the student body. The visit was part of a larger effort to engage with students, discuss values and promote opportunities for students.
Thune led discussion with the students, answering questions and sharing insights on leadership, service and civic engagement. 
Students asked questions on various topics including Ukraine and Name Image Likeness (NIL).

Oral Interpretation makes it to state

Published by admin on Wed, 12/03/2025 - 10:09am
Hill City qualified four students for the state Oral Interpretation festival taking place Dec. 5-6 at Watertown High School.
Anderson Frandsen and Ysabella Love earned their spot in the Duet category and will perform, “Night, Mother.” Frandsen also qualified in Serious Reading with, “My Mother’s Touch,” while Jade Darling will present Emma Watson’s “Gender Equality is Your Issue Too” in Non-Oratory.
The team also qualified several alternates—Jazzlynn DuBois in Poetry, Dacey Williams in Storytelling and “The Lorax” in Reader’s Theatre.