Name: Paige Kniep
Hometown: Deshler
Affiliated Fund: Deshler Community Fund
School: University of Nebraska – Lincoln
What projects are you working on this summer with your affiliated fund?
This summer I am working with the Deshler Community Fund, Deshler Chamber of Commerce, and the Jennifer Reinke Public Library Fund. I will be doing everything from working with kids at story hour to working with our new message sign on Main Street! One of my favorite activities so far was doing a “stuffed animal sleepover” when the kids brought their stuffed animals to the library for the night and we spent some time taking pictures of all the activities the animals did while their kids were at home sleeping. The next morning we showed the kids the pictures of their animals and they loved it!
Why did you want to take this opportunity to participate in this internship again this summer?
I had so much fun and made so many amazing connections through this internship last summer that I couldn’t pass it up! I am excited to continue working with the amazing people of this community once again!
What did you learn last summer that changed your perception of your hometown?
I learned how dedicated our community members are to improving Deshler for the next generation. We have an amazing force of people that care about this town and want to keep Deshler on the map!
What do you appreciate most about your community?
There are so many amazing people that live in Deshler or have ties to Deshler. Everyone is so supportive of the school, kids, and community organizations. I feel truly blessed to be a part of such a town.
What excites you the most when you think about the future of your community?
I get excited thinking about the possibilities for Deshler. We have so many opportunities for people to come to Deshler and start their own business! However, these people don’t have to come from outside of Deshler, because we already have so many driven, smart people here. There are a lot of great things in the works here at Deshler.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
I want to live on a farm near a small town. Small towns just have an environment that you can’t find anywhere else. I want to be able to be involved in the community in different ways, which is most definitely possible in a small town. I also want my kids to go to a small school as my husband and I did, as it gave us many advantages.
