

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
Panhandle Drug-Free Youth Scholarship
For Drug-Free High School Seniors In The Nebraska Panhandle
The Panhandle Substance Abuse Council established this fund in 2010. One $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a high school senior. Applicant must currently be a member of a drug-free youth group in the Nebraska Panhandle. Winners and alternates will be selected.
Applicants must submit application and all supporting information to the Oregon Trail Community Foundation in an organized, readable form.
Deadline for application and supporting documents is April 1st
Recipients will be announced in May.
To qualify for the Panhandle Drug-Free Youth Scholarship, students must:
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Be involved in the community
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Be involved in school activities
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Be involved in alcohol and other drug prevention activities
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Submit essay regarding their drug-free lifestyle on the digital application
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Submit three reference letters – from a high school faculty member, a non-relative community member, and drug free program sponsor.
Scholarships are paid directly to the school.
The scholarship will be rescinded and awarded to the alternate if the recipient does not enroll as a full-time student for the first semester for which the scholarship is awarded.
Panhandle Drug Free Scholarship
Scholarship Recipients
2012 Brandon Karpen, Mitchell
2014 Isabella Irish, Hemingford
2015 Christa Horn, Alliance
2016 Andre Anna Ernest, Bridgeport
2017 Madison Couch - Sidney
2018 Dana Dunbar - Chadron
2019 Kenzey Kanno - Mitchell
2020 Hannah Splattstoesser
2021 Victoria Eckerberg ($500)
2020 Hannah Splattstoesser
2021 Victoria Eckerberg
2022 Lily Teeple
2023 Kaden Bohnsack
2024 Grace Dean
2025 Averielle Sager
