Take a Look Back on the 2020 Honors Ceremony Weekend

We had a fantastic time at the 2020 Honors Ceremony weekend, held September 10 and 11, 2021. The event was marked by so many memorable moments we won’t soon forget.

The weekend began with a reception at the South Dakota Hall of Fame Visitor & Education Center. Attendees had the opportunity to view exhibits, see the Class of 2020’s Inductee panels in their permanent home in the Inductee rotunda, enjoy food and drink, and meet with the Inductees from the Class of 2020.

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Saturday morning commenced with the Anniversary Reunion and Governor’s Brunch. The brunch included comments from the Governor and was the setting for the Anniversary Reunion of the South Dakota Hall of Fame classes: 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. You can view the Anniversary Reunion booklet here, to learn more about the many Dream Chasers that make up these classes. This banquet is a special way for past Inductees, family members, and friends to experience the way their loved one’s legacies are still being remembered and honored, even 40 years later.

During every event held on Saturday, guests had the chance to view and bid on items at the Honors Ceremony auction. This auction is a fundraising event we look forward to every year that helps raise essential funds to ensure we can continue to honor Dream Chasers in South Dakota. The auction featured many unique items, which guests had the chance to bid on in person or online.

Saturday evening commenced with the Honors Ceremony Banquet and was a night we will cherish for years to come. We laughed, and cried during the speeches, enjoyed a delicious meal together, and held the honor of witnessing these ten extraordinary Dream Chasers officially be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. In the coming weeks, video recaps of the evening’s speeches and more will be available to view online, and we are excited to share them with you soon. 

We can’t say thank you enough to all who joined us for such a memorable weekend honoring the Class of 2020: Mike Cartney, Watertown, Glenna Fouberg (1942 to 2021), Aberdeen, Delta David Gier, Sioux Falls, Bernie Hunhoff, Yankton, Kitty Kinsman, Rapid City, Bruce Long Fox, Rapid City, Jack Marsh, Sioux Falls, Walter Panzirer, Pierre, Sen. Larry Pressler, Washington D.C., Mamie Pyle (1866 to 1949), Huron.

We also would like to thank our event sponsors, who we would not be able to have such an event without. Sponsors include: South Dakota Community Foundation, University of South Dakota, CorTrust Bank, Black Hills State University, First Dakota National Bank, First Premier Bank & Premier Bankcard, Dakota State University, Eide Bailly, Monument Health, South Dakota Mines, Daktronics, Northern State University, ELO CPAs and Advisors, Leadership South Dakota, Simpsons Printing, Venture Communications, Augustana University, First Fidelity Bank, South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

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Sarah Miller