Stang, Rabas named as Nelson Hometown Scholarship winners recipients are named

McCOOK, Neb.-- Bailee Stang and Katelyn Raba,s both of McCook, were announced as the new recipients of the Nelson Hometown Scholarship.

Bailee and Katelyn will join Sara Larington, Jordan Pick and Emily Wood, all of McCook, as current Nelson Hometown Scholars for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Ms. Stang will attend Mid-Plains Community College in McCook and plans on opening her own hair salon in McCook. Ms. Rabas will major in Nursing at University of Nebraska-Kearney and hopes to return to Southwest Nebraska to practice medicine.

The Nelson Hometown Scholarship is a program of the Nelson Institute Fund, an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, and administered annually by the McCook Community Foundation Fund, also an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation. The Nelson Institute Fund was established in 1998 through the generosity of Senator E. Benjamin Nelson and his wife Diane Nelson to promote economic development in Southwest Nebraska. The Nelson Hometown Scholarship presents up to five scholarships of $1,500 annually to graduates of McCook High School and Southwest High School who express a strong desire to return to Southwest Nebraska. Special consideration is given to students expressing a desire to own and operate a business in Southwest Nebraska.

Scholarship recipients must attend the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, the University of Nebraska-Kearney, or Mid-Plains Community College in McCook or North Platte.

"Our desire is to shine a light on the excellent educational opportunities available here in southwest Nebraska for our graduating seniors," Senator Nelson explained, "but we also want to show them that this is not only a great place to grow up, but is a fantastic place to call home, to build their careers and to raise their families."

Selections were made by the McCook Community Foundation Fund's Scholarship Selection Committee, chaired by Peggy Been.

"We had an exceptionally large candidate pool this year - which is clearly a testament to the quality of educators here in southwest Nebraska. It was unfortunate that we couldn't recognize every outstanding scholar that applied, but the five individuals who are receiving this scholarship are exemplary young leaders with a dedication to learning and a passion for their hometown. I'm excited to see these young people stay in or return to McCook and open businesses, pursue careers and become community leaders," said Peggy Been in explaining the decision.

The McCook Community Foundation Fund works to maintain McCook as a vibrant, inclusive community with access to the world for generations to come. McCook's legacy and heritage have endured for 130 years.

MCFF helps prepare McCook for the next 130.For more information on the McCook Community Foundation Fund and scholarships, please visit nebcommfound.org/fund/mccook, email foundation@mccookne.org,, like us at facebook.com/McCookCommunityFoundationFund or call (308) 344-9363.