Perspective transitions from indifference to gratitude

Jackson Dellevoet

As I’ve made my way through high school, I heard my fair share of people saying “I can’t wait to get out of McCook” once they graduate. I used to hear this and I would shrug my shoulders and maybe even agree.

But as I reflect on these past few years with graduation now in the rear-view mirror, I realize how profoundly my perspective has changed.

While exploring my post-high school options, the thought of leaving my community has weighed on me and something about it doesn’t feel right.

As I have gotten older, I have grown in many ways: my love for athletics, my desire and drive to be a leader, and most importantly, my appreciation for the amazing community I’ve had the opportunity to grow up in.

For the majority of my life, like many young people everywhere, I had a negative outlook on the town of my youth. I understood and often even agreed with those who were itching to “get out of McCook.” But my last few years here have been eye-opening for me.

As a graduating senior, everyone was asking me what I planned to do after high school. The question left me trying to decide who and what I want to be.

The more I pondered the idea, the more I realized what I most want to be is a community member and leader, right here in my hometown.

I’m unsure about a lot of things surrounding my future, but that’s okay because no matter what else happens after high school I want to be here in McCook enjoying and helping to continuously improve this amazing place I am blessed to call home.

There are so many ways that McCook shines bright as a community. It has so much to offer from wonderful restaurants, parks, and churches, to scenic bike trails and beautiful sunsets.

Did I mention that our disc golf and budding arts scene are second to none in Nebraska?

However, the crown jewel of McCook is the people and the community they create. I have realized recently that I am blessed because most of the people surrounding me are people who love McCook, who are deeply involved, and who would give almost anything for this town.

People like my boss, my parents, my teachers, and my coaches are involved with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, the tourism board, McCook Community Foundation Fund, Rotary, the Optimists, the YMCA, youth sports, church leadership, Bison Days, and more.

To put it simply, the reason McCook is amazing is that there are so many people around the community who are dedicated and doing their part to make McCook such a great place to grow up and live.

I often see kids (and adults for that matter) who are capable and could even thrive in a volunteer or leadership position but don’t think they have anything to contribute, don’t think anyone would take them seriously, or don’t have any idea where to start. I know people think this way because I used to think the same way. I was wrong.

When I showed a desire to be involved in and to grow in leadership, I was given amazing opportunities, on the sports field, in the classroom, and most importantly on the McCook High School Student Council, and MCFF’s Youth Change Reaction.

There are opportunities here for everyone, especially those who want to be a part of the change to make things better.

McCook is a place where everyone has a role to play and nobody has to sit on the sidelines. So I have been able to grow and thrive and am learning new leadership skills every day.

I am thankful for this place that I get to call home and the amazing people that surround me here. Without it and them, I would not be the person that I am today.

If you’re one of those people who can’t wait to leave, who spends their days wishing to be somewhere else, or who spends more time frustrated with McCook than grateful for it, I invite you to come play a round of disc golf with me. I’d love to try to change your mind.

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— A 2024 MHS grad, Jackson Dellevoet spent just a year in MCFF’s youth group, Youth Change Reaction, but attended more meetings and perhaps gleaned more information than most students do in four years of membership.