Originally published on 10/11’s Pure Nebraska program
McCook recently played host to the 2025 Youth Connection Summit, and those in attendance came away inspired and ready to do more good in their own hometowns.
“A big takeaway from this experience is that so many different Nebraskans are here today from all age groups, which is a really great experience for me personally,” attendee Sheyla Monteza Gonzalez said. “I think something like this is very necessary for everyone to experience. I believe hearing other peoples’ opinions, while also speaking your own opinion is very important.”
Many of the students in attendance already know what it’s like to share ideas and work with their Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) affiliated funds. Savannah McCarty plays a role in the McCook Community Foundation Fund. “‘Youth Change Reaction’ is our youth part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund,” McCarty said. “Basically, we get together and decide, what can we do to better our community, and what can we do to be involved?”
“Youth Change Reaction” played a central role in planning the first annual Youth Connection Summit with the support of Nebraska Community Foundation. “We basically planned this all year,” Youth Change Reaction member Leighton Anderson said. “I really like how (NCF’s) Chloe (Higgins) and Becky (Boesen) allowed us to make it what it is, but also help lead things.”
“When we were talking about ‘what are we going to focus on’? during the summit, we thought about, ‘how are communities made’?, or ‘what makes communities special’?” McCarty said. “We really narrowed down on the fact that connections we make in the community is what makes it an actual community. It’s not just a bunch of people that live together. Youth Change Reaction member Analia Almanza says the summit is breaking new ground. “it’s important because it’s the first youth summit that we’ve ever had,” Almanza said. “In the past it was mainly adults, but this is the first thing that is youth-led.”
Attendees not only looked at how to build community connections. They also worked to put the spotlight on how a community can focus on strengths and not weaknesses.
Students from McCook enjoyed showing others how they are creating good in their part of the state. “Just showing how McCook is our hometown is important to us,” Jaylee Hammond said. “I can talk about my perspective through my eyes as well as the girl sitting next to me. It’s like nothing else to hear how everybody feels about coming into McCook, and then what you can give back to them when they leave.”
“I feel like we all start off young with all of these big ideas, but over time we lose ideas because of the possibility there are too many limitations,” Youth Change Reaction member Isaac Crayton said. “When we bring a bunch of youth together, it feels like those limitations are not thought about as much. It seems like anything is possible, and we can make the impossible possible.”
For those who came from outside McCook, this summit proved to be inspiring for them. “I’ve been learning so much about community connections, and what I can do to help out my community more,” Spencer student Cheyenne Boettcher said. “I’ve met so many people here who have really made a difference for me, and really helped me reflect on how much I need to appreciate my community.”
Those attending the summit say they hope young people can continue to be a welcomed part of community conversations. “When I decide to call a community home someday, I would like to find the people there are willing to connect, willing to let you in, and willing to make you one of them,” McCarty said.
