For the 35th consecutive year, the KMIT-Student Athlete Award was presented to a Mitchell High Senior. This year, due to Covid-19, the announcement was made during a recorded video presentation rather than at the annual Corn Palace banquet. This year’s award was presented to Kelsey Dahme.
The award is presented to a senior male or female based 50% on athletic achievements and 50% on academics, leadership and service. Dahme is a five-year varsity letter winner in tennis and helped lead the Kernels to the State ‘A’ title. She was a state champion in doubles and placed third in first flight singles. Dahme was a team captain and voted the team M-V-P. She finished her career 2nd in school history in varsity doubles victories with 94, and tied for 2nd place in all-time singles wins with 97.
Dahme also played basketball for four years, but suffered a torn ACL in both her freshman and sophomore seasons which limited her basketball career. Despite the injuries, she never missed a tennis season. For her determination and success, Kelsey was given the prestigious “Spirit of Max” Award at the state tennis tournament.
Her list of other activities includes: four years of student council and student body President, a four year member of the marching band, a Sunday School, Love Feast and Special Olympics volunteer, as well as an Abbott House tutor and Girls State delegate. Kelsey will attend S-D-S-U after graduating with a 3.98 GPA.
