On Monday, April 29, Trey Gerdes received the Academic Excellence Award recognizing the top 1% of graduating seniors in South Dakota. Gerdes is 1 of 207 graduating seniors in the state and the only student from Lennox High School to receive the award. The Academic Excellence Recognition Banquet is held annually in Pierre and is hosted by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.
This year’s banquet message was delivered by Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden. Lt. Governor Rhoden commended the seniors for their outstanding academic achievement.
Recipients were encouraged to remain in South Dakota to pursue their college education and establish and continue their careers in our great state.
The Lt. Governor’s message urged the academic honorees to not be afraid to “say yes” to new opportunities and challenges. Highlighting the fact that “saying yes” often leads to greater opportunities that were never thought possible.
Gerdes demonstrated commitment to his education while at Lennox High School.
Gerdes is the Co-Valedictorian receiving Highest Academic Honors, 4.0 Honor Roll, all eight semesters.
Gerdes participated in football, basketball and track in high school. During his football career, he was an All-State Athlete, Dak XII All-Conference Linebacker, and Academic All-State. Trey was also a football Team Captain, 4-year letterwinner, and 3-year Leadership Council representative. He was awarded several Lennox football awards including Team Above Me, Iron Man, Hustle and Heart, and Mr. Hustle. He was basketball Team Captain and a 2-year letterwinner. In track, Trey was a 3-year letterwinner and State Meet Participant.
In addition to athletic activities, Trey was a 3-year member of the National Honor Society and completed various volunteer activities with the society. He served as a mentor teaching assistant for the high school Spanish class. Trey was also a student representative for the Lennox High School Superintendent and Principal Advisory Committee. Gerdes volunteered for 4 years at Lennox youth football and basketball camps. This year he volunteered to coach the Lennox 7 on 7 high school football team. Trey was also a Homecoming Marshal Candidate.
At the Lennox High School Academic Awards Night, Gerdes was awarded the Lennox American Legion Brethorst-Burma Post 174 Scholarship and was also Post 174’s Scholarship Medal recipient 3 years in a row. He was awarded the Lennox Commercial Club and Football Parents scholarships. Trey is honored to be a 2024 First Premier Bank Academic Community Scholar and a South Dakota Opportunity Scholar. Augustana University has awarded him the Presidential Scholarship and Impact Scholarship. The University of South Dakota has awarded Gerdes the Coyote Beginnings, USD Valedictorian, and Tier 3 Dual Credit Scholarships.
Trey is planning to attend a South Dakota university in the fall. He is the son of Aaron and Cary Gerdes. His brother Tate and sister Tori are also students in Lennox. Trey’s grandparents are Don and Jeanie Gerdes of Hurley, SD and Tim and Marlene Raabe of Lennox, SD. Tim and Marlene are both retired long term educators in the Lennox School District.
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