North Platte, Neb. – NebraskaLand Bank has awarded $10,750 in scholarships to 37 exceptional graduates of the NebraskaLand University Financial Literacy Scholarship Program. The awards ceremony held Thursday, April 24, 2025, celebrated the students’ achievements and commitment to financial literacy.
The graduates successfully completed a six-course curriculum designed to build essential money management skills. In addition, they participated in the NebraskaLand University Essay Contest. During the ceremony, Kelly Lammers, Director of the Nebraska Department of Banking, presented commemorative coins to the top three essay winners. These coins symbolize the students’ hard work, determination, and commitment to mastering financial literacy—a core value championed by NebraskaLand Bank.
Essay Contest Winners:
- 1st Place: Natalia Wiezorek, $1,000
- 2nd Place: Reese Erbert, $750
- 3rd Place: Max Berntson, $500
Each of the remaining 34 graduates received a $250 scholarship for their participation and successful completion of the program, further demonstrating NebraskaLand Bank’s commitment to investing in the future of these young individuals.
Additional scholarship recipients:
Addison Uehling
Anna Burklund
Baylee Halouska
Blakeley Staroska
Caden Joneson
Cara Roberg
Cole Huffman
Elizabeth Nielsen
Ellie Hanna
Emma Elliott
Ethan Elliott
Gabriella Esther Caudillo
Gabriella Swift
Isaac Irish
Jaxon Knisley
Jaxton Robinson
Jayden Wallace
Karissa Czarnick
Katie Abbott
Kiley Palu
Kinsey Kimberling
Leyton Connell
Logan Dodson
Logan Fletcher
Makenna Still
Rebekah Daily
Reese Fleck
Saije Phelps
Sawyer Magnuson
Shelby Smyth
Sienna Mitchell
Sophia Baca
Stephanie Budke
Zoe Schmitt
Senator Mike Jacobson, President and CEO of NebraskaLand Bank, congratulated the students on their determination, saying, “We commend each student who has put forth great effort to include this program in their already busy schedules. We are especially proud of the students at NebraskaLand University for their dedication to enhancing their financial skills. We can confidently say they’ve acquired valuable skills and established a solid foundation to become astute financial leaders in both their personal and professional lives. We look forward to watching them develop, grow, and lead. Congratulations, NLU Class of 2025!”
NebraskaLand University is an in-depth program covering vital financial topics, including budgeting, savings, credit, loans, wealth building, and identity theft protection. Senior and Executive Officers from NebraskaLand Bank lead the courses, blending traditional financial knowledge with practical, real-world applications to prepare students for future success.
Since its inception during the 2014-15 school year, NebraskaLand University has awarded $109,750 in scholarships, reflecting its enduring commitment to empowering young learners. This initiative continues to make a meaningful impact by equipping students with the financial tools they need to thrive and by fostering a culture of lifelong learning within the community.
