The Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund’s mission is to invest in the future of Red Cloud. Since RCCFF was created in 1995, awarding scholarships to graduating high school Seniors has been part of the foundation of RCCFF’s service to the community. However, in recent years, RCCFF has expanded the scope of its scholarship programs, awarding the John & Dorothy Sherwood Memorial Scholarship to non-traditional students who are seeking to pursue or are already engaged in the pursuit of higher education. In recent years, scholarships have been awarded to those working in education, nursing, and early childhood development. The most recent round of scholarships were awarded to Anissa Castor, Jackie Duffy, and Kim Armstrong at The Valley Child Development Center. All 3 are enhancing their skillsets in Early Childhood Development at Central Community College or the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Additionally, Brianna Beam was awarded a non-traditional scholarship to assist her in pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Clarkson College. Beam is thankful for the award and sees it as a bridge to possible future employment within the community. Beam says she is, “happy to receive this scholarship as it not only makes the financial burden of higher education easier to handle, but also gives me a sense of support from the community. This support makes me hopeful for a future career in Red Cloud and I am excited to be a part of the community’s continued growth.”

The John & Dorothy Sherwood Memorial Scholarship was designed with the idea that adults living or working in or in the near the vicinity of the Red Cloud community would utilize it to enhance their credentials or gain a skillset that the community needs. RCCFF welcomes applications from anyone seeking to further their education in any field of work. RCCFF believes that these scholarships will aide Red Cloud in creating the workforce it needs for the future. Please contact RCCFF’s scholarship committee chair Kory McCracken at korymccracken@gmail.com for more information or to Jarrod McCartney at jmccartney@redcloudnebraska.com. You can also find applications for all of RCCFF’s scholarships by searching their page on visitredcloud.com. If you would like to help support the efforts of RCCFF in making Red Cloud a great place to live now and in the future, you may wish to consider making an end of the year donation of cash, grain, livestock, stock, or even a required minimum distribution from a 401(k). All forms of donations provide significant tax advantages to the donor. Contact Kory or Jarrod for more information about tax benefits or send a donation directly to: RCCFF, PO Box 263, Red Cloud, NE 68970.

L to R: Annissa Castor, Jackie Duffy, and Kim Armstrong. In the picture at the top of story is Brianna Beam with her husband Brant and children Quinn, Elliott, and Cade. Pictures by Jarrod McCartney and Sara Cline.