News release
NORTH PLATTE — NebraskaLand Bank proudly celebrated the graduation of 54 promising students from the prestigious NebraskaLand University Scholarship Program. The bank granted the deserving graduates scholarships totaling $15,000 on April 24.
To be eligible for the $250 academic scholarship and a certificate of completion, each student had to complete the mandatory attendance and coursework. In addition to successfully finish six classes to graduate, and each student had to complete an essay, which was evaluated by a panel of judges from a Bank committee.
State Sen. Mike Jacobson, president and CEO of NebraskaLand Bank, announced the winners and awarded the top three essayists scholarships. Kelly Lammers, director of the Nebraska Department of Banking, then bestowed the essay winners with a unique commemorative coin. These coins are a souvenir that serves as an inspiring reminder that financial literacy requires unwavering dedication, perseverance, and a vista of commitment to build something lasting.
The Bank committee declared the following essay contest winners:
• 1st Place: Kaden Gilbert received a scholarship totaling $1,000
• 2nd Place: Madison Gifford received a scholarship totaling $750
• 3rd Place: Addilyn Wilson received a scholarship totaling $500
All remaining graduates each received a $250 scholarship for successful completion of the program:
James Ady
Isabella Arensdorf
Jenessa Arnold
Emma Baade
Samantha Bales
Tristen Beyer
Brandy Bode
Kirstin Brandt
Andrew Brosius
Kalee Brosius
Michalee Brownawell
Aaron Cabrera
Sierra Cain
Aubrie Charter
Halley Childears
Laurel Daily
Joshua Davies
Jonathan Dekleva
Ella Downey
Jane Fischer
Kinley Folchert
Kailee Foust
Michaela Giebler
Madison Gifford
Kaden Gilbert
Dakota Guthrie
Emily Hansen
Tonja Heirigs
Casey Jett
Kendra Kamradt
Caleb Kinkaid
Triniti Lemmer
Breanna Lundgreen
Eva McConnell
William Moats
Tatum Montelongo
Megan Montgomery
Jaden Ouderkirk
Matthew Phelps
Olivia Phillips
Abel Ramos
Ellie Ramsey
Drue Russell
Ashton Schiel
Elizabeth Schmitt
Grady Sexson
Natalie Sexson
Makenna Snider
RJ Stefka
Kinley Stine
Calie Troyer
Nathan Unger
Addilyn Wilson
“We are proud of what our students have accomplished, and we are confident that the financial skills and education they obtained at NebraskaLand University has given them the foundation they need to be financially successful later in life,” Jacobson said.
NebraskaLand University offers a comprehensive six-course financial literacy program that covers everything from budgeting and savings to credit, loans, career and wealth development, and identity theft protection. Taught by Senior and Executive Officers from NebraskaLand Bank, the program combines traditional financial literacy materials with innovative lesson plans to provide students with a top-notch financial education. Plus, students have the opportunity to win academic scholarships from the Bank, with approximately $89,000 given out since the program's inception in 2014-2015. Upcoming seniors can apply in August for the 2023-24 school year session.