Anyone with more than one child knows that none of them are the same. They each have their own characteristics and their own quirks, their own way of learning and their own way of responding to a situation.
Just as every child is different, every high school class is different. Ask any teacher who has been teaching a few years about the ebb and flow of classes through a school.
But this class of 2020 will have the distinction of truly being different.
Along with everyone else, their year was upended this past spring. And while hopefully, the next class will be able to return to some sort of normalcy, the Class of 2020 will not get those opportunities back.
There was no senior celebration or senior trip. The spring sports season was lost to the history books. And there was no final chance to say goodbye to teachers and friends.
But the McCook High School Class of 2020 is fortunate to have one final hurrah with an adjusted graduation and a semblance of a prom to close out their high school career.
As the MHS Class of 2020 prepares to walk across the stage Friday evening to “officially” graduate, it will be about as normal as normal can be these days. Their name will still be read, speeches will be made and someone will sneak in an airhorn to celebrate the milestone.
But the changes to the graduation ceremony will not be missed. The stands will not be packed because of the health directives in place. There will be family members with hurt feelings because they could not be included. And there will be fewer kids in the chairs, as some have already left for the military or moved onto the next phase of their life.
If there is an upside to all this, everyone is hopefully a bit more lean and sporting a summer tan in all those graduation photos. After all, it’s the end of July. Graduation should have been two months ago when we were still trying to shed our winter fat and just unveiling our pasty white legs.
After graduation, many will take their diplomas, leave for college or a career elsewhere and never look back. Letting these kids go is a missed opportunity on our part, but one that can be easily amended.
The McCook Community Foundation Fund conducted a “youth survey” at the McCook High School this past spring, the fifth survey held over the past 20 years.
We were supposed to do follow-up conversations with the kids in April about the results, but obviously that didn’t happen. That was going to be our opportunity to have a dialogue about what they want to see in their community and how they could be involved and make that happen.
But more importantly, it was going to give us a chance to do the one thing that many adults fail to do: Ask our youth to move back to McCook.
In the survey results, nearly 65 percent of the kids said they had never been asked to stay or return to McCook.
While it may seem like a simple concept, people like to be asked. They like to feel appreciated. They like to feel valued. And that is what that question boils down to: We want our youth to move or stay in McCook because we want them to be part of our community. We want them to establish a career here. We want them to raise their families here.
As the parent of a graduating senior with a husband who has taught nearly everyone of these graduates, we have grown close to these kids and I would love to see not only my own kids but all of them stay or return to McCook.
As the McCook High School Class of 2020 prepares to graduate on Friday, we wish them nothing but the best. We want each and everyone of them to know that they are a valuable member of this community. We want them to know that they can always call McCook home. And just in case no one else told them (or they missed it during this week’s graduation practice when Tyler McCarty was supposed to be sharing that message but instead was memorably throwing shrimp at them): Class of 2020…we want you to return home to McCook and help us make this community an even better place to call home.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
August 2025 Volunteer of the Month Bruce McDowell can be found walking around McCook for his health, to be helpful or maybe even attend a meeting.
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
Getting Outside of National Night Out Nearly everyone can tell you their last interaction with the police or the fire department. And unfortunately because of the nature of the organizations, it is usually not at a positive moment. My last contact with the McCook Police Department was just a few weeks ago, when I was pulled over on B Street in McCook…on my scooter. I pulled into the wrong lane when making a turn, which is illegal. But in my defense, it was an act of self-defense to just get through the intersection of East B and Sixth streets alive. Since the drivers haven’t seen a stop-light since Holdrege, cars and semis regularly run the traffic light, which makes me a wee bit vulnerable as I pass through the lanes. I got off with a warning but the true punishment were the texts throughout the day from everyone who saw me with my scooter and the police officer. Since most exchanges with police and fire are not on good terms, National Night Out was created to have an evening of positive interactions, to remind the public that the police and fire departments are just normal people, doing their jobs, looking out for their friends and neighbors, trying to create a safe community for everyone. National Night Out is designed to simply join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fellowship and fun. It is an opportunity to meet local law enforcement, creating safer and more caring neighborhoods. McCook is joining thousands of other communities across the country in hosting National Night Out, which typically takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. in and around Norris Park in McCook, the night includes a bike parade, a walk, awards for bike decorating, desserts and more. In other words, it is simply a block party to hang out. Numerous organizations have come together to make the evening possible. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the McCook Rotary Club are hosting a bike parade that starts at 6 p.m. Linda Maiden with State Farm, a bicycle helmet advocate, will also be in Norris Park. The streets around Norris Park will be shut down to provide a safe area to ride, as well as more space to cruise around the block. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bike, scooter, roller skates or anything on wheels. This could mean streamers, pompom balls, markers or even the old classic - playing cards in the spokes of your wheels. Some supplies will be available at the park for use if you show up and realize you are the most underdressed person at the party. If your bike has an inch of dust on it, this is a great time to get it out, wipe it off and get it rolling. And if your bike needs minimal fixes like a flat tire or a brake adjustment, bike tools will be on hand along with myself and my hubbie, who know just enough about bike repair to be dangerous but did manage a 300-plus mile bike ride last week so we must be doing something right. But let’s say you don’t have a bike or biking isn’t your cup of tea? Then you are still encouraged to join the “Walk in the Park,” hosted by Community Hospital. Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, walkers will stroll around the park and the neighborhood at whatever pace you feel like with strollers and dogs on leashes welcomed. And perhaps most importantly, there will be a chance to meet members of the McCook Police and Fire Department, getting to see police cars and fire engines close-up in a non-emergency manner, always the best way to see them. And if the weather cooperates, there may be a fire hose, water and spraying involved. If you have been at the Culbertson Fourth of July parade, you know it is up to you to stay out of the line of fire if you want to remain dry. We all have excuses for why we don’t want to go out at night, especially after a long day at work. But National Night Out in McCook on Aug. 5 is a great reason to get out your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes. Hang out with your friends, get to know your neighbors and meet your first responders. That is what makes our communities just a little bit better.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
