Name: Hayley Denner
Hometown: Diller, NE
Affiliated Fund: Diller Community Foundation Fund (DCFF)
School: Graduated from Concordia University Nebraska May 7, 2022. Will be a K–12 art teacher at St Edward Public Schools in Saint Edward, NE starting August 15, 2022
What projects are you working on this summer with your affiliated fund?
For the 2022 Hometown Internship program, I will be mentoring two new interns, Jadyn Schultis and Skylar Pretzer, for DCFF. I will be showing them how to maintain DCFF’s Facebook page and website as well as aid them in other various projects. These projects include: brainstorming youth philanthropy ideas, preparing for the 125th Diller Picnic, and collecting stories from community members to share on our social media platforms. Some of my projects as an intern are to update the Facebook page and website and help gather artifacts for Diller’s museum.
Why did you want to take this opportunity to participate in this internship again this summer?
I wanted to participate in this internship program again because I love giving back to my community. My community has supported me in everything, and I enjoyed being able make positive contributions last summer. The Diller Community Foundation Fund does so much behind the scenes work to help our community grow and I love being able to spread awareness about their accomplishments. Therefore, I wanted to encourage them to bring in more interns so we can achieve more of their goals. The Hometown Internship program allows the youth to be vital advocates of their hometowns and instill active hope within their community members. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something this extraordinary?
What did you learn last summer that changed your perception of your hometown?
My perception of my hometown remained the same, but in positive way. I always knew Diller was going to continue to grow and be a place to call home. I knew there were people in the community who really cared about the appearance and well-being of our small town. Diller is and always will be a flourishing community that anyone would be proud to call home.
What do you appreciate most about your community?
I appreciate the growth mindset our community members have. Diller is full of dreamers and achievers. We all strive to make Diller more than a dot on a map and that starts with supporting one another. The Diller Community Foundation Fund does an amazing job at supplying individuals with resources to achieve their goals.
What excites you the most when you think about the future of your community?
What excites me most about the future of Diller is that it will continue to grow and prosper. This is due to our successful small businesses and school system along with an increase in housing and job opportunities. I hope DCFF continues to participate in the Hometown Internship program because it encourages youth to return to the community and make positive contributions.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
When looking for a place to call home, I want a place that is similar to Diller. A small town with a safe, supportive, and welcoming community. I would prefer that the town has a reputable school system and essential businesses such as a gas station, grocery store, and bank. If the town lacks these businesses, then I’d like it to be close to larger towns that have a lot of amenities. Lastly, the town should have fund or organization like DCFF that strives to better the community.
