MCFF Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients

McCook Community Foundation Fund awarded five scholarships this spring for the 2023-2r academic year, including the Bernard and Nelda Haag Scholarship and the Barbara Fassler-Neumann Nursing Scholarship.

The Haag Scholarship, worth $1,000, was given to Keegan Shuler of Culbertson, who will graduate from Hitchcock County in May 2023 and plans to attend Doane University this fall. Keegan plans to major in agribusiness to focus on production of food and management natural resources.

The Haag Scholarship selection is based upon leadership and self-motivation through involvement in extracurricular activities in high school; a dedication to agriculture or rural living; and a desire to return to a rural area or Southwest Nebraska.

The Barbara Fassler-Neumann Nursing Scholarship provided four scholarships for a total of $5,000. The scholarship may be awarded to recent high school graduates as well as those currently practicing medical professionals who have resided in the area for at least four years.

One scholarship worth $2,000 each was awarded to Sara Peterson, a 2023 McCook High School graduate. Sara plans to attend Mid-Plains Community College as she works to become a nurse.

Four additional $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Natalie Roberts, a 2023 MHS graduate, who plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Justin Barenberg, a MHS graduate, who currently attends Creighton University; and Holli Thomas, a MHS graduate attending the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

The Haag Scholarship has been given since 2006, while the Hassler-Neumann Scholarship is now in its eighth year. Both scholarships are distributed through the McCook Community Foundation Fund, an affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

A complete list of scholarship recipients over the years is available on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org.

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By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026

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.