LITCHFIELD—
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) visited
Litchfield High School on Tuesday to present the 2018 Congressional Art Competition Second Place Award to Rilee Howard of Litchfield. Her photo, “Details,” will be displayed in Smith’s Washington, D.C. office for the next year.
Every year the nation recognizes excellence in visual art from each state with the Congressional Art Competition. Congressman Smith awarded Rilee’s photography “Details” with second place. Visitors to Congressman Smith’s office in D.C. will view Rilee’s beautiful picture of a Milkweed growing near Litchfield, Neb. The art will remain there for one year.
Rilee Howard is a sophomore at Litchfield and is the daughter of Bill and Britt Howard of Litchfield.
[caption id="attachment_1483705" align="alignright" width="300"]
Rilee and her parents Bill and Britt Howard visit with Congressman Smith[/caption]
During Tuesday’s presentation, Congressman Smith read that the art competition is a great opportunity for members of the house to recognize high school artists from all across the country and celebrate their talent.
“Certificate of special congressional recognition, presented to Rilee Howard in recognition of your participation and artistic discovery in the congressional art completion for high school students,” Congressman Smith read.
Howard said her art teacher Allison Varah asked students to select a piece of artwork they liked the best. Howard said she was very surprised at the news of winning second place.
“I was very surprised and I kind of forgot about it. And she [Mrs. Varah] was like hey, you got second place! And I was like me, what? Yes, it was very shocking!” Rilee told KCNI/KBBN.
Varah said Rilee’s work was a beautiful representation of Litchfield’s talent and Nebraska’s beautiful landscapes.
“I never know which piece will get in because it just depends on what the judges are looking for but I think that Congressman [Smith]--to have the work that he wants in his office is going to be--he likes it to really reflect Nebraska and the beauty of our state. I definitely thought she had a shot because it’s a beautiful picture and it’s of our beautiful landscapes.”
[caption id="attachment_1483708" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Rilee Howard's photography "Details" will be displaced in Congressman Smith's Washington D.C. office for one year[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1483706" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Litchfield Art teacher Allison Varah, Congressman Adrian Smith, Rilee Howard[/caption]
2018 Congressional Art Competition Winners for Congressional District 3:
First Place: “Giraffe” by Arielle Buck of Bayard
Bayard Public Schools
Arielle’s work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Second Place: “Photo Milk Weed” by Rilee Howard of Litchfield
Litchfield Public Schools
Rilee’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Washington, D.C. office.
Third Place: “Watercolor of Child” by Haylee Vice of Falls City
Falls City Public Schools
Haylee’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Grand Island office.
Fourth Place: “Photo Truck” by Audrey Juelfs of Potter
Potter-Dix Schools
Audrey’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Scottsbluff office.
Rilee and her parents Bill and Britt Howard visit with Congressman Smith[/caption]
During Tuesday’s presentation, Congressman Smith read that the art competition is a great opportunity for members of the house to recognize high school artists from all across the country and celebrate their talent.
“Certificate of special congressional recognition, presented to Rilee Howard in recognition of your participation and artistic discovery in the congressional art completion for high school students,” Congressman Smith read.
Howard said her art teacher Allison Varah asked students to select a piece of artwork they liked the best. Howard said she was very surprised at the news of winning second place.
“I was very surprised and I kind of forgot about it. And she [Mrs. Varah] was like hey, you got second place! And I was like me, what? Yes, it was very shocking!” Rilee told KCNI/KBBN.
Varah said Rilee’s work was a beautiful representation of Litchfield’s talent and Nebraska’s beautiful landscapes.
“I never know which piece will get in because it just depends on what the judges are looking for but I think that Congressman [Smith]--to have the work that he wants in his office is going to be--he likes it to really reflect Nebraska and the beauty of our state. I definitely thought she had a shot because it’s a beautiful picture and it’s of our beautiful landscapes.”
[caption id="attachment_1483708" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Rilee Howard's photography "Details" will be displaced in Congressman Smith's Washington D.C. office for one year[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1483706" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Litchfield Art teacher Allison Varah, Congressman Adrian Smith, Rilee Howard[/caption]
2018 Congressional Art Competition Winners for Congressional District 3:
First Place: “Giraffe” by Arielle Buck of Bayard
Bayard Public Schools
Arielle’s work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Second Place: “Photo Milk Weed” by Rilee Howard of Litchfield
Litchfield Public Schools
Rilee’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Washington, D.C. office.
Third Place: “Watercolor of Child” by Haylee Vice of Falls City
Falls City Public Schools
Haylee’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Grand Island office.
Fourth Place: “Photo Truck” by Audrey Juelfs of Potter
Potter-Dix Schools
Audrey’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Scottsbluff office. 
