September News

Youth Engage a “World of Ideas”

Attendees at Youth E-Day in Plainview, TX

At a time when a variety of enterprises are needed to build vibrant communities, more than 110 high school youth brought their best ideas to a couple of Ogallala Commons Youth Engagement Days: one in Plainview, TX (Sept. 11^th) and another in Dumas, TX (Sept. 18^th).  

In the first session of the Youth E-Day, teenagers worked in small groups, sharing their ideas and getting feedback from facilitators, most of whom were from SIFE (Students Involved in Free Enterprise) chapters at Wayland Baptist University and

Students and facilitators at Youth E-Day in Dumas, TX

West Texas A&M University.  In each small group, participants voted one idea as "Best in Group." The second part of the event featured a walking tour of “Ideas Made Real” with site visits to local businesses and enterprises that make an impact locally and regionally.  Before the event wrapped up, students were invited to continue fleshing out their ideas by entering two upcoming Youth Entrepreneur Fairs, or by applying for an OC Community Internship.  Above all, everyone attending the Youth E-Day was encouraged to connect to and develop their own dreams, and to recognize that all communities want and need our youth to return—when they choose and when they are ready--to live, work, and raise their families.  Ogallala Commons staff and partners will present the next Youth Engagement Day in Atwood, KS on Nov. 7^th

Banner Year for Community Internships

As the fall season arrives, Ogallala Commons is putting the wraps on its largest and most diverse group of Community Internships.  In 2012, a total of 46 Community Interns worked on several hundred projects and activities--in towns, counties, and organizations spread across Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico.  In the process, the interns gained valuable work experience, increased their professional skills and honed their talents--while working on projects that added value to their communities and institutions. 

In addition, Community Interns had many opportunities to explore career options that could bring them back to their hometowns and regions one day. 

In 2012, OC Community Interns consisted of 19 College-level Interns, 17 high school-level interns, 4 Interns in Graduate School, and 6 older adult interns.  Congratulations to our Interns, and thanks for a job well done.

Recruitment of new interns has already begun.  On September 12^th, OC Board President Tom Giessel (Larned, KS) and Chris Sramek, OC Advisory Council (Atwood, KS), joined OC Director Darryl Birkenfeld to staff a booth at the Career-Internship Fair at Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS.  Nearly 3 dozen college students from Kansas and Nebraska towns stopped by the booth to make inquires and leave off their resumes.  OC has already received 6 applications for 2013 Community Internships (4 from West Texas A&M SIFE students featured in the photo below).  Applications can be procured by emailing Julie Hodges, OC Education Coordinator (juliehodges@prairieworkshop.com)

Intern Profile: Justin Trammell

My name is Justin Trammell and I am 22 years old. I am from the Amarillo/Canyon area. I learned to love the earth and appreciate both domestic and wild animals as I grew up on my family farm. I attended Canyon High School and received my B.S. in wildlife biology from West Texas A&M University in 2012. I am currently attending graduate school at WT, getting my degree in biology with a thesis focusing on the vegetation and invertebrate communities of playa lakes.

While in college, I became part of the WT Herdsmen, an organization that deepened my love for animals and my understanding about conservation issues [and] refined my character. I am passionate about wildlife and about educating people on how to better coexist with wildlife while still making a living.

This internship will help me by allowing me make more contacts and achieve a better understanding of local issues, as well as how to run education events which would help me to get employed at government agencies or NGO’s where I could pursue my passion. 

Intern Profile: Monica Veleta

Hello everyone! My name is Monica Veleta. I’m from the small community of Tribune, KS. According to the 2010 Census, our population is 1,247. I am [in] my senior year of High School and hope [to] graduate in the year of 2013. After I graduate, I hope to go to college and enter the world of Accounting and Sociology, as well as being in an athletic program.

My internship [was] held in Tribune, with Christy Hopkins. It has always been a goal of mine to make a positive impact on my community. With the help of Christy and this internship, I hope to [have made] that impact this summer.