Amelia Hakl returns to her hometown of Spencer, Nebraska, to serve as a Hometown Intern as part of a program with NCF.
What excites you most about returning for another summer as a Hometown Intern?
What excites me most is being able to delve deeper into my community, especially the people. Last year was spent relearning my community and this summer is a lot more about what I can do for my community.
What did you learn about yourself and your community during your internship last summer?
I learned that I am just as hardworking as those I look up to. I felt so much pride in how hard everyone works for the Spencer community and it was amazing to see that hard work reflected in me.
If you were describing your hometown to a potential visitor, what would you say?
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Spencer is a community built by hard-working people. The assets we have are because someone had an idea and a few people were stubborn enough to make it happen and keep it going. I think most often of how after storms blow through, there are numerous people who immediately start helping and checking in on each other. I also think about how many EMTs and volunteer firefighters we have. It really is a community focused on each other, the betterment of the community, and helping each other.
Everyone has gifts and talents to share. What do you hope to share with your hometown this summer?
I think I really proved myself as a hard worker and problem solver last summer. This summer I really hope to share more of my knowledge, passion, and what I’ve learned about myself to hopefully inspire a newer generation of kids but also to prove to older generations that young people do care and do have hometown pride.
What should older adults know about your generation of Nebraskans?
Older adults should know that my generation does care and all it takes to get us involved is some encouragement. There are young people out there that strive to better themselves and their communities.
How does belonging play a role in your attachment to your hometown?
I’ve never felt out of place in Spencer because the community really just took me in. I attribute that a lot to my family but also the appreciation shown by community members when I would participate in events.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your community?
I hope that Spencer becomes full of young people and new families. I want to see business booming and people participating in and enjoying community events. It’s important to me that my generation comes home and sees what I see in Spencer.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
Community, plain and simple. I want to feel like I belong, I want to be able to see others work as hard as me, I want to be able to connect with people.
If you were designing a future for yourself in your hometown, what would that look like?
In my future in Spencer my family is close to me and always growing, I have a job that supports me volunteering constantly, and my friends have come home to live their best lives alongside me.
What’s a piece of advice you have for first-year Hometown Interns?
It’s okay to know you aren’t coming home right away. Last year I felt a sort of shame because I knew that when I graduated college I wouldn’t come home to Spencer right away but with more conversations I’ve learned that that is okay. Come home when it feels right because you will have that much more experience to offer your hometown.
