MCFF/NCF Youth Engagement Grant Used for Entrepreneur Program
Morgan Peterson of Imperial was named winner of the 2021 Hormel Youth Entrepreneurship competition through McCook Community College.
Peterson was one of four finalists for the competition who made business plan presentations Saturday. She received $5,000 for her business, ImpERFECT Confections.
Ethan Graff of McCook won second place and received $2,500 for his Nebraska Pizza Company business idea. Kailynn Rodewald, also of McCook, received a third place check for $1,500 for her presentation of Sweet & Sassy Cakes and Cupcakes.
These three young entrepreneurs, along with Quincy Long of McCook (Strawberry Frog Stickers), spent each Monday evening in August learning the basics of running a business. They also spent an entire Saturday in August visiting local McCook businesses, learning from each business owner. Businesses visited included Sehnert’s Bakery, the Keystone Co-Work Space, Impact Closet traveling boutique, Cita Deli, Mac’s Drive-In and Saltwater Shrimp Company.
The competition wrapped up Saturday as each participant presented their business ideas to a panel of judges in MCC’s McMillen Hall.
Their business plans included information on how and why this business was chosen, a cost analysis including assets and expenditures, projected costs and revenue, examples of marketing and plans for what any money won would be used for.
As part of the competition, winners are invited to participate in the Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual training and banquet in McCook on November 17-18.
The McCook Community Foundation Fund provided $7,500 for a matching grant from the Nebraska Community Foundation as part of the Youth Engagement Grant. Those funds have been used to educate local entrepreneurs over the past few years, as well as provide the prize money for this first Hormel Youth Entrepreneurship Competition.
The youth competition was led by Cultivate Rural Leaders’ McCook Leadership 2.0 group, along with local UNL 4-H Extension staff.
While the 2021 Hormel Youth Entrepreneur Camp has wrapped up, plans are already underway to repeat the contest again in the future.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
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To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.
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Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
