In an act contrary to Rowdy’s normal reserved personality, on Thursday morning (Sept. 7) Rowdy LeFever gave a presentation about his trip to Washington D.C. He told the entire school about his art project, Adrian Smith telling him he had won the Congressional Art Competition, and all about the D.C. area.
Rowdy created a work of art in copper and then applied a patina to bring out the details in his Farmall M pulling tractor. He submitted the work to Adrian Smith’s 3rd Congressional District Competition. In early summer, Adrian Smith gave him a call to tell him he had won and would receive two free plane tickets to Washington D.C. where there would be a ceremony to honor the students from every state. “The funny part was, when Adrian Smith called, I was out moving cattle so I couldn’t hear most of what he was saying, so I didn’t know I’d won or that winning came with two free plane tickets,” explained LeFever.
After learning he had won, his Mom, Nancy LeFever, started putting the costs together for hotels, food and transportation around the D.C. area. She knew right away she needed to spring into action if Rowdy were to attend. She started a “Go Fund Me” and the town of Litchfield quickly supported the trip, raising close to $3,000. Rowdy and his mom raised funds by working two concession stands for the Spartan Foundation where all proceeds went towards their trip. Nancy and Rowdy wish to add that they are so appreciative to the community for the support.
Rowdy had never been out of the state of Nebraska before this trip. Nancy LeFever had secured the fact that he would be there at the ceremony to honor his artwork. Once in Washington D.C., they were given a tour of the Capitol and an exclusive look at the tunnels under the D.C. area. The tunnels are used by congressmen to quickly get from place to place. They connect the Capitol building to the congressional office buildings. The tunnels were originally built as a way to stay out of bad weather but have become a way to quickly get to the capital for voting, to keep a distance from the press, and even used as a place to go for safety.
LeFever’s work will hang in the tunnels for one year to be admired by those individuals who have the exclusive honor of using them: congressmen, staffers, and maybe the president and other high government officials. LeFever, who loves working on his family’s farm and never really wants to leave the Litchfield area, came back to school this fall and presented to the entire student body about his artwork, the memorials, the capitol, and the tunnels. Even though he prefers his mom’s cooking to the meals in D.C., hates taking taxi’s and prefers time in a tractor, Rowdy still encourages those around him to explore just a little and to keep making art.
