COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Building a Stronger Panhandle, Together
For nearly 50 years, the Oregon Trail Community Foundation has connected generous donors with real community needs. From scholarships and healthcare to the arts, history, environment, and recreation, we’re dedicated to enriching lives across the Panhandle. Every gift is carefully stewarded to create lasting impact—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
SERVES PROMOTES RESPONDS
Photo by Rick Myers
Juanita M. Gibbs Memorial Scholarship
For graduating seniors from Scottsbluff and Gering High School, pursuing a degree in BUSINESS and attending West Nebraska Community College.
Two (2) $1,000 scholarships will be awarded, with $500 awarded per semester.
Eligibility, Application and Selection Process:
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Available to graduating seniors
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Full-time Enrollment will be required.
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Scholarship recipient must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
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High school applicants are required to attach a copy of their official ACT/SAT scores and their current high school transcript to the online application.
Deadline for application and supporting documents is April 1st. Recipients will be announced in May.
Juanita M Gibbs
February 26, 2022
Cherished wife and mother Juanita May Gibbs of Gering, left this life on February 26, 2022.
Juanita, better known as Nita to most everyone, was born on November 28, 1948 to Robert and Elvina (Fritzler) Satur in Scottsbluff, NE. Her family farmed in the Lake Alice community and they survived the blizzard of 1949 shortly after her birth. Nita attended Lake Alice School and Scottsbluff High School graduating in 1967. Nita then received an Associate of Science Degree from Nebraska Western College.
Nita met her future husband Lawrence Charles Gibbs in the fall of 1968 at a dance at the Scottsbluff Armory. It was love at first sight for both of them as they were engaged by Thanksgiving and married on June 8, 1969. Their union lasted more than 52 years. The Lord blessed them with a son Lawrence Matthew Gibbs in February 1972. Nita worked as the Secretary for the Senior Citizen Program in Gering for a few years before becoming a full time mom.
After her son started school she started her career in banking at the Bank of Gering as a teller. Nita later was their proof operator. That bank was purchased by First State Bank. At First State she continued running proof and eventually progressed to the position of Bank Operations Officer. Her total banking career spanned thirty-nine years including thirty-four at First State retiring at the end of September in 2020. She also helped her husband part-time at their family business Oregon Trail Hobbies.
Nita was a wonderful mother and prepared her son for a successful education and career. Nita was an excellent bowler when younger and had her best league average when she was pregnant with her son! Nita was an excellent cook and enjoyed working in the garden with her husband as they landscaped their yard over forty-five years. Nita was a very kind soul and had many friends. She seldom had an unkind word for anyone and always tried to look for the good in everyone.