SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Sioux Empire Founders Day banquet was the site of Huskeronline.com's third tour stop.

The Sioux Empire Husker alumni group is the largest Nebraska alumni group in the state of South Dakota, and they are one of the more active chapters in the UNL alumni association.

Saturday night's event was organized by president Mary Dick, a Nebraska graduate who is now a dentist in Sioux Falls.

The highlight of the evening came when Dick awarded out six $1,000 scholarships to South Dakota high school seniors who plan to attend Nebraska next fall.

Dick said the group prides itself on the large amount of scholarship money they are able to raise each year, and this was the first time they have ever given out six scholarships.

"Several high school students from South Dakota attend Nebraska each year," Dick said. "With the out-of-state tuition, we know how much these scholarships can help."

There were 42 applicants for the six scholarships, and Dick said the average ACT score of the group was a 28, and the average GPA was a 3.9.

The six winners of the scholarships were Holli Brown and Justin Tilberg of Mitchel, Steven Dix and Keeley Bunkers of Sioux Falls O'Gorman, Danielle Buehner of Sioux Falls Christian and Kacie Meyers of Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

"I am very honored to receive this scholarship and look forward to my future years at Nebraska," Bunkers said as she received her scholarship.

Following the scholarship presentation the people on hand got a chance to view the highlight video of head coach Bill Callahan's 2005 recruiting class and have their questions answered about the future of the Nebraska football program.

Some of the more notable people in attendance Saturday night were Shirley and Fred Stephens. Their daughter Andrea Stephens-Frazier is the wife of former Nebraska quarterback Tommy Frazier.

There were also two cousins of NU Athletic Director Steve Pederson present for Saturday's Founders Day banquet.

For more information about the Sioux Empire Husker Alumni group check out their website at www.sehuskers.com.

Huskeronline.com won't hit the road again until after spring football in April. Our next stop is scheduled for the weekend of April 23-24 in Salina, Wichita and Topeka.

We will also be in Scottsdale and Mesa on the weekend of April 30. Check out our first two tour stops in Denver and Des Moines.