The Nebraska Promise - The Steffen Family
Aaron Nix
Author
03/05/2024
Added
116
Plays
Description
Abby Steffen grew up on a farm in Crofton, Nebraska as the oldest of eight children. She always knew she was going to college—but she didn’t know how she was going to pay for it.
The Nebraska Promise program, which covers tuition at NU for students from Nebraska families who make $65,000 or less, took that worry off Abby’s plate. Today, she’s a junior speech pathology major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Learn more about the Nebraska Promise: nebraska.edu/promise
Searchable Transcript
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- [00:00:01.500]We knew this is where Abby wanted to go.
- [00:00:03.708]And it's one of those things where it's like,
- [00:00:06.541]you're not going to say it was impossible, you know?
- [00:00:08.791]We just didn't know what the possibilities were.
- [00:00:12.083]It's an opportunity that is being given to an individual
- [00:00:15.833]that is...
- [00:00:18.416]it’s going to set the world on fire.
- [00:00:37.708]Anybody that has had a child
- [00:00:39.416]leave to go on to school or to graduate knows that when that person comes
- [00:00:45.375]home, it's like a holiday no matter what else is going on.
- [00:00:48.541]And so Abby has seven other siblings that are her biggest fans.
- [00:00:53.125]And so they go all out when she comes home.
- [00:00:56.125]They get things ready for her.
- [00:00:58.125]And we're just always very happy when she's here.
- [00:01:02.666](energetic music plays)
- [00:01:09.916]I guess I've always just enjoyed getting up early
- [00:01:11.875]and have that extra time to be like, productive before the world starts.
- [00:01:16.750]Get up, get early, get our day started and then get in here.
- [00:01:21.000]It's usually how we feel the most energy.
- [00:01:23.875]So everybody looks forward to it.
- [00:01:25.125]Like they keep me up at mornings because they're so excited for it.
- [00:01:29.000](energetic music plays)
- [00:01:45.291]Touchdown!
- [00:01:47.041]You need grit in order to be successful in life.
- [00:01:50.083]And she has all of that and then some.
- [00:01:54.333]Every year we write down like a word for,
- [00:01:58.166]I guess, how we kind of want to live our year.
- [00:02:00.875]It's just kind of a reminder of
- [00:02:03.500]what we want to focus on.
- [00:02:04.625]I guess my word this year is relentless.
- [00:02:07.708]She goes off to college.
- [00:02:08.833]It's an extension of you that's she's down there doing what she does.
- [00:02:12.625]And it brings you a sense of pride and joy to know that, you know,
- [00:02:18.375]she has that opportunity and she's seizing
- [00:02:21.083]that moment to give her very best.
- [00:02:24.291]But then she gets to come home and you just get enjoy,
- [00:02:26.958]you know, that time to the visit and reconnect
- [00:02:31.333](energetic music ends)
- [00:02:35.541](wind blows)
- [00:02:40.666]Overnight we had about five or so inches of snow.
- [00:02:45.000]So that means a snow day from school.
- [00:02:50.291]We have to have the bunk scooped before we can feed the cattle.
- [00:02:52.791]And it's like a continuous wheel that's always in motion and moving.
- [00:02:57.291]And what's so important is, is our communication
- [00:03:00.000]and, you know, working together and that our family is a team to where,
- [00:03:05.750]you know, we're always working and working together and helping one another.
- [00:03:09.375]And and that's where where the words, you know, when we all put our words
- [00:03:12.958]together on that canvas, you get to see a glimpse into what
- [00:03:19.291]what's touching them, you know, where they're at in their life
- [00:03:22.333]or what's gonna help move them.
- [00:03:25.666](string music plays)
- [00:03:32.000]Because I have so many younger siblings,
- [00:03:33.916]each decision I make now is going to have a huge effect
- [00:03:37.125]on how they view themselves and how they view the world.
- [00:03:41.000]And so it's very important to me that I set a good example for them
- [00:03:45.750]and something where they can, I guess, look up to me and know
- [00:03:50.166]that there is a place for them in the world
- [00:03:53.208]and that they can go and accomplish their dreams.
- [00:03:57.291]She is very determined and very driven.
- [00:04:00.291]And so having that blessing of the Nebraska Promise
- [00:04:04.166]took one more worry off of her plate.
- [00:04:06.833]She didn't have to think, How am I going to pay for this?
- [00:04:08.583]Am I going to have to get another job?
- [00:04:10.541]And so it was kind of like a little dose of lighter fluid on her fire
- [00:04:15.750]because she, I think, will make the university very proud.
- [00:04:22.375]I mean, we have a large family there.
- [00:04:24.000]We have a lot of expenses.
- [00:04:25.458]And so we're not rich by any means.
- [00:04:27.916]But I was like I have no idea how I'm going to pay for this.
- [00:04:31.541]I was able to receive the Nebraska Promise and like an entire weight was lifted off
- [00:04:36.416]my shoulders because that meant I didn't have to drop college
- [00:04:40.916]and I was so relieved.
- [00:04:44.416]It was a complete blessing.
- [00:04:46.416]And it has just made the world of difference.
- [00:04:50.291]We give everything we can to help you know that Nebraska Promise.
- [00:04:55.166]Well, it's helping us and we recognize that and then want to
- [00:04:59.125]pay that forward because it's like we're giving everything we can
- [00:05:03.083]in the kids that are younger than Abby.
- [00:05:06.041]That gives Abby the opportunity to go and
- [00:05:11.250]give it to so many others.
- [00:05:14.208]She knows what a blessing this has been in her own life,
- [00:05:16.708]and she hasn't taken that lightly.
- [00:05:19.125]And she will use that to the best of her ability to be a blessing then to everyone else.
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