ENVISION 2022

ENVISION was a one day youth leadership summit that focuses on personal development, career readiness, and community connection hosted around various locations in Downtown Kearney and the Central Mercantile feat. Ktown Cakery on April 20th. The overall goals for this program were to give students the opportunity to ENVISION a future where they are encouraged to find growth, support, engagement, and opportunity within their community. Through doing so, students were able to connect with like-minded individuals, felt inspired to always continue growing, and let their voices be heard.

We hosted about 70 sophomore and junior high school students from Buffalo County schools!

They started the day with Brenda Jochum, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach with the University of Nebraska at Kearney, learning about their strengths and how they can utilize their strengths to grow as leaders.

Dr. Tiffani Luethke, professor at UNK, shared her knowledge and research about leadership during her presentation held at Nest:Space - Premier CoWorking. Dr. Luethke encouraged students to work in teams and utilize one another's strengths to complete a fun challege. Students also had the opportunity to hear from community leaders in the Kearney Tomorrow session. During this session, Mayor Stan Clouse, Roger Jasnoch - Director of Kearney Visitors Bureau, Trevor Lee - President of Economic Development of Buffalo County, Derek Rusher - President/CEO of Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mike Morgan - Manager of the City of Kearney sat on a panel and asked the students to share their ideas and opinions on what we can work to bring to Kearney in order to keep Kearney a thriving, growing community.

Over a delicious lunch provided by Billy Jack's Pizza Pub, students heard from Adrienne Olson, Chief Nursing Officer and Clinical Services Executive at Kearney Regional Medical Center, about her experiences in the health field and how she has grown professionally in Kearney.

FNBO taught students the importance of how to "market yourself" in person and on social media platforms to set yourself up for success in the future. EducationQuest shared insights on scholarship tips and tricks along with how to prepare for creating the perfect college application or essay.

Dusty Birge with SnappyWorkflow provided students with the opportunity to learn about his business journey and shared life advice for becoming an entrepreneur! Many volunteers from the community participated in speed interviews-- where students sat down with professionals in Kearney to practice their interviewing skills, then received feedback from the interviewers on how to improve.

To finish up the day, individuals representing a wide range of businesses in Kearney sat on a panel to host the Community Leader Panel. Students learned about each of the professionals' businesses, what their journey in Kearney has been like, and the advice they have for students while enjoying treats donated by Ktown Cakery.

Thank you to the following individuals/businesses for dedicating their time and resources to helping shape our future community leaders:

• Kari Printz, Central Mercantile feat. Ktown Cakery

• Megan Berry, Heartland Bank

• Amy Barth, Just for Ladies Fitness

• Ryan Fitch, McCue's Nebraska Taproom

• Ryo Suzui, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Josh Arias, Buffalo County Community Partners

• Laurie Widdowson, CSS Farms

• Yousef Ghamedi, Cunningham's Journal

• Megan Uphoff, CHI Good Samaritan Hospital

• Alan Gentz, Classic Car Collection

• Brenda Jochum, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Dr. Tiffani Luethke, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Adrienne Olson, Kearney Regional Medical Center

• Mike Morgan, City of Kearney

• Roger Jasnoch, Kearney Visitors Bureau

• Addy Salas, Buckle

• Amanda Polacek, Kearney Regional Medical Center

• Angela Smith, Kearney Works

• Ashley Weesner, Miller and Associates Consulting Engineer

• Bill Winberg, Billy Jack's Pizza Pub

• Brad Mailahn, West Pharmaceutical

• Brandon Drozd, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Charlie Carter, ALLO Communications

• Dustin Favinger, Upper Room Brewery

• Emily Jameson, Barney Financial Services

• Elijah Landell, Rising Tide Leadership

• Hannah Sloggett, Real Deals

• Jenny Ramos, Morris Press

• Jillian Epley, Coldwell Banker Town & Country Realty

• Jon Watts, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Josh Jelden, Office of Senator Deb Fischer

• Julie Calahan, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Kady Jacobs, Holistic Healing Spa & Boutique

• Kelly Christensen, Central Community College

• Kristen Graczyk, Graczyk Lawn & Landscaping

• Kristen Sedlacek, individual

• Luke Huddelston, Marshall Land & Auction

• Megan Goeke, Hello Beautiful Bridal & Formal Wear

• Michelle Engel, Eaton

• Nathan Dorsey, FNBO

• Olivia Slater, Buckle

• Shanna Schulte, Nebraska Title Co.

• Stacey Weaver, Chief Agri

• Tara Veit, Magnum Trucking

• Trish Olson, Kearney Regional Medical Center

Thank you to our sponsors: