“Live for the future, not for the past.” 

While working at an assisted living facility in McCook, a wise older resident shared those words of wisdom with me. Those words have followed me everyday, pushing me forward in all things I do, challenging me to try new things. 

I have not always been so accepting of change. So when a new job opportunity presented itself this past year, it was not easy to take the leap.

This past summer, I had the opportunity to join the hometown internship program with the McCook Community Foundation Fund and Nebraska Community Foundation. While there was hesitation at taking on something new, I reminded myself of the words that were told to me by my wise friend and the change didn’t seem as frightening as it did before. 

I spent those months leading up to my first day thinking about how I could make a difference, both for myself and for my community. I looked at my family, the people who have supported me through every decision I have ever made, and knew what I wanted to do: to work with different people in our community and help build the inclusivity that McCook could have. 

I am a part of the hispanic community here in McCook. I speak both English and Spanish fluently. Although born in Colorado, I have called McCook home for as long as I can remember and attended McCook public schools since kindergarten. Yet I had a limited knowledge of what McCook held. 

Most of us Hispanic kids grew up this way. Why?

A large problem arises when bringing the English-speaking community and Spanish-speaking community together. The language barrier is not a problem easily solved. After all, it’s not just a matter of someone taking a language course. We have to be able to not only understand each other but to be open to learning from one another. That was exactly what I decided to do, to find a way to connect the two communities within the town of McCook. 

I met with the Hispanic-owned businesses to learn how they built their business, to discover what challenges they face, and to make connections. They are wonderful people and the opportunity to learn more about them was an amazing experience. 

Along the way, I also had the chance to learn more about my culture and it opened my mind.

I realized that by working together, so much more could be done to make McCook a better place. 

I also learned not to be afraid, to learn and to ask questions. The people you meet have an impact on you - no matter how small the interaction is.

Another project I worked on during my internship is an event for the Hispanic holiday of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Usually celebrated on Nov. 1, the holiday honors the loved ones we have lost. This usually involves coming together to do arts and crafts, eating and drinking, and - most importantly - enjoying time with the people around you. This festivity also includes making an “ofrenda” or shrine for your lost loved one, which is decorated with pictures, flowers and candles. 

This is an opportunity to show the English-speaking community a little more about the Spanish-speaking community, bringing us closer together. Details are being finalized but plan to join us October 29. 

Although summer vacation along with internship have come to an end, I do not see it as that. The experiences this summer have just been a beginning. A beginning for two communities who speak different languages to learn more about one another, to recognize what they have in common and to welcome the differences. 

I feel my work this summer has opened my eyes and allowed me to learn more about McCook. This is an experience I will hold tightly and will always appreciate. Afterall, change is not always a bad thing. 

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Along with serving as the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s summer hometown intern, Chasity Samaniego is a 2020 McCook HIgh School alumni, a 2022 McCook Community College grad and is continuing her education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.