Q.  What would you tell someone who is thinking about returning to McCook/SW NE?

A. To sum it up in one word: opportunities. There are truly endless opportunities to do what you want, whether it is starting a business, entertaining your family, being involved in the community. Each and every person has the opportunity to make this the community what they want to see, rather than waiting for someone else to do it for them.

Q. Did you always plan to return to McCook/Southwest Nebraska? If not, what changed your mind? 

A. Born and raised in Omaha, I am technically a McCook-transplant after marrying my husband, Jon, who is a McCook native in 1995. But I have now lived in McCook longer than I haven’t so I consider myself a McCookite and can’t imagine living in a large town.

Q. Through your time in McCook, what changes have you seen benefit McCook/SW NE? 

A. There are more and more opportunities to be involved. Rather than waiting for things to happen, people are taking the initiative to get things done. 
I’ve also seen both returners and out-of-town alumni continue to take pride in being from McCook. They continue to show their support through both financial donations and by sharing McCook’s story.

Q. What is your favorite memory of an event or activity in McCook?

A.McCook and Southwest Nebraska are blessed to be surrounded by outdoor activities and resources, especially the area lakes. Whether it is stand-up paddleboarding or fishing or just hanging out with friends, a day at the lake is a great day.

The foresight to create the state recreational areas has benefitted our area more than people can ever know and they still have tremendous potential to do even more.

Q.  Why do you think it’s important to have the McCook Community Foundation Fund?

A. The foundation fund is important because it directly benefits the community. It is a foundation created by the community, administered by the community, and which will have an impact for generations to come. 

Q.  What excites you when you think about the future of your community?

A. McCook and Southwest Nebraska have so much potential and there are people in the right places to make big things happen, especially if focus on collaboration between private and public entities. Also if we move away from the scarcity mentality to one of abundance, we can accomplish great things. And we are blessed in McCook and Southwest Nebraska with tremendous resources.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish by being part of MCFF?

A. As part of MCFF, I want people to be proud of the community. I want them to realize that we have tremendous resources at our fingertips. I want to be a positive force in the community, who also happens to make things happen. I want to be McCook’s chief instigator while remaining its biggest cheerleader.