Rising star — Fitzwater advances to semi-finals

Newcastle High School senior Preslee Fitzwater will be featured Tuesday, March 3, in KOTA Territory News’ Rising Star of the West scholarship contest.

Fitzwater will appear on KOTA Territory News on FOX at 6 and 9 p.m. after qualifying for the competition by submitting a short video, according to a press release. She is among the semifinalists whose one-minute commentaries will air through March 13 before being posted online at kotatv.com for viewers to watch and rate.

One competitor from each week will advance to the final round in May. The overall winner will receive a $4,000 college scholarship. In total, $7,500 in scholarship funds will be awarded by KEVN Black Hills FOX and Monument Health.

Fitzwater said she learned about the opportunity through her advisor, she said in an email.

“My advisor reached out to me about the scholarship and thought it would be a cool opportunity for me,” she said. “Being in college prep, you must submit a scholarship a week for a grade, so it happened to work out perfectly.”

After researching the contest, she said she believed it aligned with her goals.

“When I looked into the scholarship I knew I fit the rising star part, and it would be another great learning opportunity,” Fitzwater said. “I didn’t expect to make it into the semi-finals, I just wanted another experience that was going to shape me as a person!”

Advancing to the finals — or winning — would be meaningful, she said.

“Winning would mean everything to me, I don't know if I have the right words to describe it!” Fitzwater said. “Winning would obviously help me with college, but it would also be a reward for all the hard work I have put in!”

She also credited the Newcastle community for its support.

“My community means everything to me, truly, I wouldn't be half the human I am today without their support,” she said. “I'm lucky to have the community I do, I know I can always rely on them to be my biggest cheerleaders, so having their support this time makes me so incredibly grateful! Every vote means numbers to me.”

Rising Star of the West has recognized student winners from across the region since 2007, awarding scholarships annually to high school seniors.