Name: Caleb Most
Hometown: Ogallala
Affiliated Fund: Keith County Foundation Fund
School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What’s it like to return to your community after being away for a while?
I feel like I have a fresh set of eyes, not just from being away but also from meeting a lot of people from different communities at college. By comparing my experiences with theirs, I’ve been able to appreciate the assets in my home community even more. I’m excited to continue identifying more of those great things.
What are some of your hometown’s greatest assets?
Some of Ogallala’s greatest assets are Front Street, The Petrified Wood Gallery, Lake McConaughy, Cedar Point, our restaurants, Second Chapter Brewing, Lute Library, and more.
What about the NCF Internship experience stands out to you so far? Why?
The flexibility, the potential for creativity, and the energy. In the short time that I’ve been doing this internship, I’ve enjoyed how much I’ve been pushed to pursue something that interests me and been given the freedom to do just that. In this way, this internship is very different from other jobs I’ve had, and I appreciate that greatly.
Everyone has gifts and talents to share. What do you hope to share with your hometown this summer?
I hope to share my appreciation of all that Keith County offers to my community. I think we’re fortunate to have some of the things we do, so I hope to use my skills in communication to find a unique way to share our assets with everyone.
What should older adults know about your generation of Nebraskans?
Older adults should know that my generation of Nebraskans cares greatly about the future success of Nebraska and wants to make positive changes to ensure that future success. We might not do everything the same way it’s been done in the past, but that doesn’t mean we don’t care about Nebraska.
What makes you feel most attached to your hometown?
The people of my hometown make me feel most attached to it. When I come home from college during the year, I’m always most excited to see the people in my community. I’ve appreciated their support growing up and I know they always have my back. Although we have many wonderful restaurants, entertainment options, and businesses, the people of Ogallala are what make our community great.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your community?
I hope that in the future of my community, we continue to support each other as we do now and retain the feel of a small town. I also hope that new ideas are embraced by the community, even if they’re a little non-traditional, so that we can continue to improve, grow, and make our town the best it can be.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
The most important thing for me in a place to call home is a supportive and welcoming community that I can involve myself in. I want to have some ownership of wherever I live and be able to make an impact. Additionally, I would like to ensure that the place I call home has community spaces where I can constantly get to know new people and become more connected to the community.
If you were designing a future for yourself in Greater Nebraska, what would that look like?
A future for myself in Nebraska would involve pursuing a career I’m passionate about, surrounded by friends and family who support me. I would want to be somewhere that evolves to face modern problems and seeks to preserve the community values of Greater Nebraska.
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 welcome new change to their communities and understand that things won’t stay the same forever, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This will be something for me to remember too when I get older.