Sales and Marketing Executives Inc. of Sioux Falls believes maintaining a strong business climate in South Dakota means supporting our youth with educational and career opportunities designed to keep them in our communities. Their "SME Youth Benefit Auction" raises money to support Youth Business Adventure, Pi Sigma Epsilon and Scholarships for forward thinking youth across the state.
At a recent Membership meeting of the Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls (SME) held at C J Callaways, SME awarded $7,500 in scholarships to four talented individuals.
(In this Photo left to right: Cindy Elifrits, SME Scholarship Committee Vice Chair; Suzie Watts, Kari Hipsak, Paula Dirksen, Abby Mehlbrech and Diane Mulloy, SME Scholarship Committee Chair)
The $4000 Scholarship winner was Suzanne Watts from Sioux Falls, SD who is attending South Dakota State University and presented Stair Step Storage. The $1500 Scholarship winner was Paula Dirksen from Twin Brooks, SD who is attending Augustana and presented Athena’s Adventures. One $1000 Scholarship winner is Kari Hipsak from Bismarck, ND who is attending Augustana and presented Karry-Alls and the other $1000 Scholarship winner is Abby Mehlbrech from Salem, SD who is attending Dakota State University and presented AFLAC. These four individuals participated in an oral presentation including a 15-minute role-play in selling/marketing a service or product. Members of the SME were judges for the oral presentations.
The evening dinner presentation event featured Joe Gerstandt on the topic “Shift Happens; What Leadership Means Tomorrow” with the meeting sponsored by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard.
Each year the Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls presents scholarships to four college students from funds raised through their youth benefit auction held the 2nd week of October. Information on the scholarships and how to apply can be found on line at www.smesiouxfalls.org. If you would like to donate to their auction, please call 605-336-5626.
