Hometown Intern – Bryn Kniep

Name: Bryn Kniep
Hometown: Deshler
Affiliated Fund: Deshler Community Foundation
School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

What’s it like to return to your community after being away for a while?
Returning home from college made me realize the things that I had missed while in Lincoln. I missed the sense of safety a small town gives me, as well as all the caring community members that went out of their way to check up on me and ask how college was going.

What are some of your hometown’s greatest assets?
Some of my hometown’s greatest assets are places where many people can gather and feel a sense of community such as the city park and pool, the fairgrounds and community center, and the downtown businesses that are placed around the old bricks and flagpole. While these are all great assets, I believe the people in our community are also a huge asset because they show ambition to provide support to others in our town and look out for one another.

What about the NCF Internship experience stands out to you so far? Why?
What stands out to me about the NCF Internship so far is how much support I have from NCF staff members who are willing to help me anytime with anything.

Everyone has gifts and talents to What do you hope to share with your hometown this summer?
This summer I hope to show my hometown how dedicated I am to working towards growing our community and creating activities or areas where people can gather and enjoy time together in our small town.

What should older adults know about your generation of Nebraskans?
Older adults should know that our generation of Nebraskans is eager to share our ideas on how to grow our communities, how to find ways to make difficult tasks easier, and, for some, how to getinvolved in what older generations have started and provide a fresh perspective.

What makes you feel most attached to your hometown?
The sense of safety I feel when in my hometown and all the friendly faces that show pride and support for Deshler and its people are what make me feel attached to my hometown.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your community?
I hope that in the future my community continues to have the passion to improve our town and make the most out of our biggest assets here in Deshler.

What are you looking for in a place to call home?
When looking for a place to call home I want an area where neighbors are like family. Being surrounded by people who will help and support you whenever you need it and an area that provides a safe space for children to grow up and have fun is very important.

If you were designing a future for yourself in Greater Nebraska, what would that look like?
If I were to design a future for myself here in Greater Nebraska it would look like living in a community where I feel cared for and supported and an area where I could confidently raise children and feel as if they were safe and getting the resources they needed. I would also have a job that would allow me tohelp the children in my community while also having time to provide support and help in growing the community.

What’s a piece of advice you have for older generations of Nebraskans?
A piece of advice I have for older generations of Nebraskans is to interact with the younger generations and make sure they feel welcomed and supported in their community. I also advise that different generations share their ideas with one another and are open to learning how times are changing and how they used to be.

More from Hometown Interns

All News

Hometown Intern – Jadyn Schultis

Hometown Intern – Averi Devish

Hometown Intern – Lauren Behn