Memorable Speeches from Past Honors Ceremonies
There are many memorable aspects of Honors Ceremony weekends at the South Dakota Hall of Fame, but a favorite memory that grows with each year is listening to inductees and representatives of inductees give their speeches at the Honors Ceremony Banquet.
These speeches are heartfelt and they showcase the dedication each individual has exhibited to create a lasting impact on a statewide level. We wanted to take a look back on past Honors Ceremonies and share some speeches from these amazing inductees.
Jeff Broin
2017 | Professional
Innovator, Entrepreneur, & Agriculturist
“I am humbled. to stand next to the other nine accomplished individuals being inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.”
Jeff Broin was inducted in 2017 for his work developing POET–the world’s largest producer of biofuels and the largest company by revenue in the state of South Dakota. Over the last 30 years, Broin has played a vital role in championing an industry that creates jobs and grows prosperity by bringing cleaner-burning, homegrown biofuels to markets across the globe. Listen to his induction speech here.
Dodie Brown
2015 | Professional
Developing Home Hospice Care in SD
“I’m happy to share this proud celebration with my family.”
Dodie Brown was a key player in the development of home health and hospice programs, not only in Western South Dakota but also across the state. Dodie has shown innovation in her approach to making home health care accessible to people in rural areas and those whose income qualifies for Medicaid. Listen to her induction speech here.
Donald F. Montileaux
2014 | Arts & Entertainment
A Unique and Cherished Artist
“When I got this honor, I never really wanted it for myself…I wanted it for my granddaughters.”
Donald F. Montileaux’s work has been featured in galleries throughout the United States. He is admired for his unique stylized imagery, brilliant use of color, and ability to capture the beauty of movement in his art. He has won international acclaim for his artwork and is especially celebrated for his pictographic ledger drawings. Listen to his induction speech here.
Marilyn Hohm Hoyt
2018 | General
Shaping Community Through Leadership
“This whole day has left me speechless.”
Marilyn Hohm Hoyt, a lifetime resident of Huron South Dakota, has dedicated her life to improving the community, one fundraising project at a time. She is credited with saving Huron College from closing its doors, Successfully overseeing the creation of the Huron Recreation Center, Huron Event Center, and the creation of a central park featuring a water park and bike path. Listen to her induction speech here.
Browse the legacy pages of our 700+ inductees by clicking here.