N
ame: Avery Eitzmann
Hometown: Byron, NE
Affiliated Fund: Byron Community Foundation Fund
School: University of Nebraska – Lincoln
What does it feel like to be back in your hometown this summer?
It feels so comforting to be back in my hometown for the summer. After spending the school year in Lincoln with all the hustle and bustle of city life, it is so refreshing to come home where there are gravel roads and no stoplights.
What are some of your hometown’s greatest assets?
Some of my hometown’s greatest assets are the community building, the new fire hall, and our wonderful park and ballfield area.
What about the NCF Internship experience stands out to you so far? Why?
The part of this internship that stands out to me is that we are not only creating great new relationships within our communities, but also with people from other communities.
Everyone has gifts and talents to share. What do you hope to share with your hometown this summer?
I hope to share some new ideas through the eyes of someone in a younger generation. Byron has a lot of older community members, so I am excited to bring in new ideas that might help us reimagine what’s possible.
What should older adults know about your generation of Nebraskans?
Our generation does have a lot of technology, yes, but this technology can be beneficial! It allows us to make our dreams a reality in some simpler ways, and it connects us with other communities to get inspired by ideas from them.
How does belonging play a role in your attachment to your hometown?
Belonging plays a huge role in my attachment to my hometown. If I did not feel welcome and like I belong, I would not be as willing to come back to the community.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your community?
My hopes are for my generation to raise our children in the same community where we were raised. I want Byron to continue to thrive for many more years to come.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
I am looking for a strong sense of belonging and security. I feel like I have those features available to me in Byron.
If you were designing a future for yourself in Greater Nebraska, what would that look like?
Building a house close to the community of Byron and raising a family there. I want them to experience the same close-knit community that I did when I was growing up.
What’s a piece of advice you have for older generations of Nebraskans?
Do not doubt the ideas that the younger generation might bring to the community. Always try to encourage and support their ideas and make them feel extremely welcome in the community; especially if you want them to come back in the future.
