Snow-Redfern Foundation Awards Scholarships to Seven Outstanding Nebraska High School Senior
May 6, 2025
The Snow-Redfern Foundation is proud to announce the selection of seven exceptional high school seniors as recipients of the 2025 Snow-Redfern Foundation managed scholarship awards. These scholarships support rural youth in pursuing higher education and returning to serve their Nebraska communities.
Two students were awarded the Hempel Family Scholarship, a fund that honors Edward M. and Eda S. Hempel’s longstanding legacy of generosity and service to the Nebraska Boys Ranch, now the Snow-Redfern Foundation.
- Taylee Thompson of Alliance, NE, will attend Chadron State College to study Early Childhood Education.
- Gavin Bell of Hemingford, NE, plans to study Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Five students were selected to receive the K.M. Dahlstedt Scholarship, created in partnership with the Dahlstedt family to honor their father and husband’s dedication to community and trades-based careers:
- Kyra Jespersen (Hemingford) plans to study Welding or Agronomy at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.
- Gracie Wilkins (Hemingford) will pursue Livestock Management at NCTA.
- Nathan Randolf (Hemingford) intends to study Culinary Arts or Automotive and Transportation at either Western Nebraska Community College or Southeast Community College.
- Analisia Esparza (Bridgeport) will study Nursing at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
- Amy Albro (Bayard) will pursue Nursing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Scholarship preference was given to students from Box Butte and Morrill Counties who plan to pursue careers in agriculture or the trades, attend college in Nebraska, or return to the state after completing their degree.
This year’s Scholarship Review Circle reflected the foundation’s commitment to participatory practices and youth voice. Reviewers included Snow-Redfern Foundation board members Mona Tarin (Lincoln), Jason Davis (Hastings), and Andrew Hunzeker (Scottsbluff); youth leaders Kierra Miller (Dakota State University, Root2Rise graduate) and Arielle Lawrence (UNK, former SRF scholarship recipient and Root2Rise graduate, current SRF staff); Maycee Quick (Lincoln, SRF Youth Engagement Coordinator); and Kevin Dahlstedt, donor of the Dahlstedt Scholarship.
“We value youth voice, community wisdom, and meaningful engagement,” said Sara Wilcox, Executive Director of Snow-Redfern Foundation. “We are committed to centering those most impacted by our funds in every part of our process.”
The Foundation’s scholarship efforts honor its roots in the Nebraska Boys Ranch—founded on values of hard work, service, and personal growth—and represent a continued investment in rural youth who are eager to return home and contribute their skills.
“We are honored to offer this opportunity to students like Taylee, Gavin, Kyra, Gracie, Nathan, Analisia, and Amy,” said Denise Harris, Board President of Snow-Redfern Foundation. “These programs not only honor the memory of the Hempel and Dahlstedt families but also invest in young people who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and academic dedication. This year’s recipients truly exemplify commitment to their futures, families, and communities.”
Snow-Redfern Foundation invites individuals, families, and organizations to join us in investing in the good life for kids.
Give today: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/snow-redfern-memorial-foundation/donor-campaign