One of the most iconic symbols of Nebraska and its history still dots the state's landscape, blades circling in the air, pumping clean clear water from the ground.

Three Summerland students believe a windmill designed and constructed at the school will pay homage to Nebraska's roots - and be a visitor favorite - at this week's Norfolk Home and Garden Show at the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex in Norfolk.

The 12-foot windmill, designed by Summerland sophomore Caydence Schumacher, and brought to life by advanced welding students Garrett Napier and Mike Umphress, will be one of six student-designed steel structures from area schools advancing to the Ken Iverson Project section at the show.

The project, started by Nucor Steel Nebraska, honors the legacy of Ken Iverson, joined Nuclear Corporation in 1962, when it purchased Vulcraft, a steel joist manufacturer. Iverson was named president in 1965.

Schumacher learned about the contest after her dad, Summerland art teacher Shannon Schumacher, received an email about the project.

"After reading through the email, we decided to come up with something," Schumacher said.

Once focused on the contest rules, Schumacher spent "about a day" sketching a design.

Then, she handed off the project to the industrial technology department.

"We brought the design to life," Napier said.

Michael Odell, Summerland IT instructor, said schools participating in the Iverson project receive a bundle of steel.

"You're allowed to also use sheet metal and one other material," Odell said.

Napier and Umphress started working on the project in December.

Napier said determining the correct angles for the windmill frame was tricky.

Time consuming even.

Odell said some of the steel was in large chunks, requiring students to cut pieces to the correct sizes.

"It required a lot of thought," Odell said. "You had to get creative with what you had."

Umphress said he and Napier elected to keep the angle iron at its original length.

"We didn't want to make it too small," Napier added.

Welding students used a plasma cutter to form the windmill wheel and tail, which is a cutout of the state's geographic boundaries along with the date of statehood.

The front tower braces resemble railroad tracks. The ties, made from cedar, widen from top to bottom, giving the piece perspective.

Each cedar plank features important dates from Nebraska's railroad history, including the formation of Union Pacific Railroad, construction of a Missouri River bridge and opening of Union Station.

Schumacher said Summerland history instructor Dan Roeber helped narrow the scope of historic dates.

A laser cutter was implemented to create the lettering and depiction of an early locomotive.

The planks and ties are attached to the windmill frame via handmade railroad spikes, constructed by Napier and Umphress.

Now that the project is completed, students have had time to reflect on the creation and it's ties to the state's history.

Schumacher stressed the importance of the railroad.

"It shaped all of the cities and towns. That was definitely something I wanted to put into it," she said.

Napier said the windmill is synonymous with agriculture, the lifeblood of rural Nebraska.

"Everybody around here uses windmills to pump water for cattle," he said.

Umphress agreed with both assessments.

"They said what I wanted to say," he said, chuckling.

Other schools with work advancing to the home show include Norfolk High School, Wisner-Pilger, Randolph, Stanton and Crofton.

Schools selected to bring their entries to the home and garden show were selected by voting via a form, posted by Nucor, on social media.

Once the doors open, Friday, at 4 p.m., the "slate is wiped clean" according to Odell, and voting starts over.

"People who come to the show will be able to vote," Odell said.

The top project will receive a donation to the school's IT program.

The Norfolk Area Home and Garden Show will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 16; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 17.