Gillian Cheney, Our Foundation Scholarship Recipient

If you’ve visited the Club in the past few weeks, perhaps you’ve seen the picture by the Front Desk or in the Eagle’s Nest. It’s the smiling face of one of our brightest stars. This spring, our team was excited to share news with a lovely young lady who was so deserving of our Foundation scholarship.

Our 2016 Prairie Club Foundation Scholarship recipient is Gillian Cheney.

Maybe she’s served you and your guests during a visit to the Club. But for those who haven’t yet had the chance to meet Ms. Cheney, allow us to introduce her.

Gillian is a soon-to-be sophomore at the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD. Each summer for the past 4 seasons, she’s joined our food & beverage team to serve guests of the Nebraska Sandhills. A graduate of Cody-Kilgore High School (an hour’s drive from the Club), her family today still lives in Cody, Nebraska, a small town north and west of The Prairie Club. At USF, she is majoring in Nursing and minoring in Theatre. Her dream is to become a nurse.

In her time working at The Prairie Club, she’s been able to meet unique travelers from all over. She asks all of our guests where they are from and loves to learn what they do. Aside from the opportunity for a job, our home on the Snake River has given Gillian a place where she learns about the world. It’s made an impact on her life in so many ways, including now, with an opportunity to pursue her dream through education.

Our goal in creating this scholarship is to impact the community outside of our walls (and prairie grasses). In the past two years, we’ve been able to help two young people in ways that are generally unavailable to them. It wouldn’t be possible without your help.

To all who’ve donated, we thank you. We’ve heard it many times, how much Gillian thanks you. If you see Gillian this summer, wish her well at school and in her pursuit of her dream of nursing.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  

Quote by Nelson Mandela

We’re changing the lives of our young people.

To find out ways to donate and contribute to this cause, please contact Mandi Loughran. She will give you all of the information you need.

And if you see Gillian around, wish her well at school and thank her for her hard work and playing her role in making the Club such a special place for so many of us.