Graduation is just around the corner, and with the preparations for closure of the high school days also comes planning for all the great things that will happen AFTER the big day!  A big part of planning efforts includes determining if college is on the horizon, and, if so, mechanisms for paying for it.

Fortunately, if seniors take the time to scour the web and partner with their parents, school counselors, or others that can guide them, they will find that there are actually many options available to assist with funding a college education.

Our scholarship programs are among those available this year!  Thanks to two very generous and caring donors, Snow-Redfern Foundation will be selecting and awarding eligible seniors with scholarship funds this spring.

Students interested in applying can do so by reaching out to their school guidance counselors for more information and for the link to complete the application.  All applications are due no later than March 31, 2023.  Below are the two scholarship programs offered in the spring:

K.M. Dahlstedt Scholarship

The family of KM Dahlstedt has established an annual memorial scholarship fund to provide support to high school students who are pursuing a degree in vocational training education. This one-year award can be used for education-related expenses if the candidate meets the established criteria. Up to five (5) scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000.00 in the 2023-2024 school years.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the M Dahlstedt Memorial Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

  • Currently enrolled high school student who will graduate in the current year
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of Box Butte County in Nebraska
  • Accepted to an accredited technical college as a full-time degree seeking student

Edward M. and Eda S. Hempel Family Scholarship

Through the generosity of the Edward M. and Eda S. Hempel and family, this scholarship fund integrates the vision and beliefs once taught to young people at the Nebraska Boys Ranch. Though NBR is no longer in existence, the Snow-Redfern Foundation manages Arvilla Snow-Redfern’s estate through grants and scholarships to youth. Mr. and Ms. Hempel were integral in sustaining the Boys Ranch over the years and were generous contributors. Mr. Hempel was a long-time board member and he and his family gave generously of themselves through service and contributions so that the lives of kids might be better.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Hempel scholarship, students must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

  • Citizen/ permanent resident of Nebraska
  • Motivated to successfully complete a college degree
  • Planning to attend a Nebraska college within the next year
  • Enrolled at a high school within Box Butte or Morrill County
  • Nominated by a school designee (such as school counselor)
  • Preference is given to applicants that have a FAFSA EFC between $7,000 and $12,00

It takes a village to raise a child- and a community of caring adults to serve them!  Dr. Troy Unzicker, Alliance Public School Superintendent, and his wife and Director of Alliance Chamber of Commerce, Susan Unzicker, witness the vast needs of children everyday through their work in the community.

Giving to the Community

In addition to their important careers, it is through their community leadership, countless volunteer hours, and the financial gifts they share which epitomizes Gandhi’s wisdom- “Be the change which you wish to see in the world”.

As a former Snow-Redfern Foundation board member and board president, Susan led the organization through many pivotal changes and growth.

“Susan was efficient, hard-working, talented, and committed to our mission”, said current board President and leader at Box Butte General Hospital, Brooke Shelmadine, “and we hope she chooses to rejoin our board after she takes her required year between terms”.

Susan and Troy shared:

“We are proud to support an organization that has the sole purpose of supporting children.  The Snow Redfern Foundation has a long history of supporting programs and services for kids in need.  The children truly are our future and we are happy to be a small part of that support for these very important young people.”

Now a monthly financial contributor to the foundation, Susan and Troy have found a new way to share in the impact that the foundation has on creating opportunities for young people to become thriving adults.

Donate Now = https://www.snowredfern.org/give-today/

Snow-Redfern Foundation provides financial support to nonprofit partners that offer programs and services that make a life-changing impact for kids in need. As the former Nebraska Boys Ranch, Snow-Redfern Foundation has a rich history in advocating for, protecting, and encouraging youth in need of hope and healing. Though we no longer provide direct care, our commitment to equipping young people with the skills they need to be successful and live a good life remains.

Alliance Public Schools= https://www.alliancebulldogs.org/

Alliance Chamber of Commerce = https://www.alliancechamber.com/

Congratulations to Kenneth Wyland and Kayandra Cruz from Hemingford High School and Jovannie Gomez from Alliance for being selected as recipients of the Edward M. and Eda. S Hempel Family Scholarship!

Young Leaders

We chose these three inspiring young people because of many impressive qualities.  In addition to living in the greater Alliance area, they all clearly demonstrated leadership, resilience, service, and dedication to academic studies.

In the fall, these three exceptional youth will further their education at a Nebraska college.

Kenneth will attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Biology before continuing his studies as a Certified Cytotech.

 

Kayandra will attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture to pursue a degree in Animal Husbandry.

 

 

Jovannie will attend the Western Nebraska Community College’s Powerline Program in Alliance.

 

The Gift of Education

“We were blessed with the opportunity to award this generous gift honoring Mr. and Mrs. Hempel.  They were consistently generous contributors to Snow-Redfern Foundation, formerly the Nebraska Boys Ranch.  Mr. Hempel was a long-time board member. He and his family supported the youth at Nebraska Boys Ranch through service and financial gifts”, shared Snow-Redfern Foundation’s Vice President and Grant/Scholarship Committee Chairperson, Jared Mracek.

Snow-Redfern Foundation provides financial support to nonprofit partners that offer programs and services that make a life-changing impact for kids in need. As the former Nebraska Boys Ranch, Snow-Redfern Foundation has a rich history in advocating for, protecting, and encouraging youth in need of hope and healing. Though we no longer provide direct care, our commitment to equipping young people with the skills they need to be successful and live a good life still remains.