McCook Community Foundation Fund awarded four scholarships this spring for the 2018-19 academic year, including the Bernard and Nelda Haag Scholarship, the Barbara Fassler-Neumann Nursing Scholarship and the final Nelson Hometown Scholarship.
The Haag Scholarship, worth $1,000, was provided to Rebel Sjeklocha, who will graduate from Maywood High School this spring and plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sjeklocha plans to major in agricultural and environmental sciences communications, followed by law school and eventually returning to Southwest Nebraska to practice law.
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 is now in its third year and provided two scholarships $3,000 and $1,500. The scholarship is 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.
The $3,000 scholarship was awarded to Logan Loker, who will graduate from McCook High School. He plans to attend Chadron State College, where he will study nursing to become a nurse anesthetist.
The $1,500 scholarship was awarded to Jayden Miller, who will graduate this spring from Southwest Public Schools. She plans to attend Mid-Plains Community College in McCook, where she plans to major in nursing.
And the Nelson Hometown Scholarship, worth $1,500, was renewed for Erica Wood, a 2015 McCook High School graduate and currently attending the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The Nelson Hometown Scholarship was established by former Senator Benjamin Nelson. Recipients must have a desire to return to Southwest Nebraska sometime in the future with preference given to those desiring to own and operate their own business in the area.
This is the final year for the Nelson Hometown Scholarship, as the program evolves into a new fellowship program at McCook Community College.
