Hill City Prevailer

Hill City rolls out the red carpet for royalty

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:11pm
Hill City High School rolled out the red carpet for this year’s homecoming royalty court at Monday night’s coronation at the High School Theatre. 
The presentation was emceed by Grace Daiss and Brooke Thayer-Burke. It began with the high school band performing the Star Spangled Banner followed by the cheer squad leading the crowd in the school song. Daiss and Thayer-Burke recognized past kings and queens and then started introductions of the pages and the 2025 homecoming court and king and queen candidates. 

Here comes Ranger homecoming Oct. 6

Published by admin on Wed, 10/01/2025 - 10:05am

It’s one of the most anticipated, biggest, loudest, most spirited events of the school year—homecoming week.
Homecoming is a tradition that stitches together generations of Rangers—alumni, current students and families—and unites the entire Hill City community. It instills pride and tradition in the next generation of Rangers and transforms the town into a sea of green and gold.
This year’s theme is “Rangers Can be Anything.”

Grilling on the Green

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 1:02pm
Ready or not, the new school year is right around the corner, and the Hill City Elementary School is kicking off in Ranger style with the eighth annual Grilling on the Green and open house Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.
Held each year before classes begin, this event gives students a chance to meet their new teachers, drop off their school supplies and enjoy a meal with friends while sharing the excitement of the year to come.

Booster club hosts football opener

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 10:36am
The Hill City Ranger Booster Club is kicking off football season with something sweet. Ahead of Friday night’s home opener against Stanley County, the club will host a pre-game Ice Cream Tailgate at Ranger Field. 
It’s not just ice cream that the club is serving up. They are also dishing out volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. 
The Booster Club is an organized non-profit that promotes and supports Ranger athletics, and it actively seeks volunteers and sponsors to help throughout the 2025-26 season. 

Hill City girls basketball serving ‘OK’ burgers for a cause

Published by admin on Wed, 07/09/2025 - 10:02am
Shine up your boots, polish up your moves and bring a healthy appetite (and your wallet) to the second-annual Hill City Rangers girls basketball team fundraiser.
The event will take place Friday, July 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the Halley’s 1880 Store in Keystone, located at 501 1st St. Known for its  mix of antiques, collectibles, a bar and food shack, Halley’s sets the scene for an evening packed with small-town charm and big-time fun.

Band students to attend music camp

Published by admin on Wed, 07/02/2025 - 9:35am
Five Hill City High School band students are tuning up for a unique musical summer adventure.
Hill City band students Emelia Rapp, Kieara Babcock, Riley Dierolf, Ethan Euneau and Cameron Conway will attend Rushmore Music Camp this August—a week-long experience designed to enhance their musical skills and connect them with fellow musicians.
“The big thing for me going to band camp when I was a student, is meeting other people and interacting with other kids that have similar interests,” said Hill City band director Chuck Safrit.

Youth of the Year passes message of positivity

Published by admin on Wed, 06/18/2025 - 9:44am
A program entitled Pass and Receive came to the Hill City Boys and Girls Club June 12. Recent Wagner High School graduate Hunter Lhotak brought the program to the club. He was accompanied by his mom, Gina, who was born and raised in Hill City.
Lhotak is the South Dakota Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year and will represent the state in the Midwest Youth of the Year event in Chicago June 26.

Hill City valedictorian heads to U.S. Air Force Academy

Published by admin on Wed, 05/28/2025 - 9:23am
Hill City High School’s class of 2025 valedictorian, Lexi Brandt, will soon be trading her cap and gown for dress blues as she embarks on a new journey at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.—a path made possible through a nomination by U.S Sen. John Thune and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson.
As a seventh grader living in Colorado, Brandt was inspired by a Thunderbirds flyover during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. That moment sparked a dream that has become a reality through determination, academic excellence and a desire to serve her country. 

Graduates receive diplomas under the faces of giants

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:37am
Despite rain, storms and even some snow, the Hill City class of 2025 graduated at Mount Rushmore National Memorial May 18.  
The ceremony began with a message from superintendent Blake Gardner who told graduates that the day was their “Super Bowl,” relaying his signature message to “make today a masterpiece.”

Buehler leaves legacy Hill City won’t soon forget

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:07am
Hill City senior Devin Buehler didn’t just leave his mark in Hill City, he graffitied his name all over the record books — figuratively of course. 
Buehler, the son of Dan and Meagan Buehler of Hill City, has attended Hill City school since kindergarten and is knocking at the door of graduation this Sunday. But it’s not the time that he has spent here that is impressive; it’s what he did with it.