Luke grew up in nearby Holstein in rural Adams County, attended high school at Silver Lake Public Schools and is currently studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he will get a degree in Secondary Business Education. Luke's parents are Bryan and Sara Swanson and he has a younger sister named Lana. Luke enjoys working on his family's farm during the summer.
What is your favorite thing about Red Cloud?
I loved being able to step into a different community this summer. Seeing how hard all of the business owners and community members work to provide for the community is fascinating.
You were a Hometown Intern with Red Cloud Heritage Tourism Development this summer. What drew you to the position? How do it go?
Stacie Heldt [RCCF member and teacher at Silver Lake Public Schools] had reached out to me and told me that the position was available. I have always admired how hard she has worked both as an educator and a volunteer, especially how involved she is in Red Cloud. I come from a lot smaller town, and it was really cool to be involved in a bigger town. Holstein only has a couple of businesses, so it was rewarding to get to see all of the hard work that goes into the businesses in Red Cloud.
I have always admired how hard [Stacie Heldt] has worked both as an educator and volunteer, especially how involved she is in Red Cloud.
What are your favorite places in and around Red Cloud?
I really enjoy the National Willa Cather Center, the Corner Nook, the Webster County Museum, and all of the Historic Cather sites.
Can you tell our audience a bit about the projects you worked on for Heritage Tourism this summer?
Most of my work was done remotely this summer. I did come down and help at some of the bigger events though. I put together a couple of spreadsheets that included advertising options and Tourist Oriented Directional Signage for Red Cloud. Secondly, I made a draft of a Webster County Passport Program. Lastly, I captured pictures of many places in and around Red Cloud.
I come from a lot smaller town, and it was really cool to be involved in a bigger town. Holstein only has a couple of businesses, so it was rewarding to get to see all of the hard work that goes into the businesses in Red Cloud.
What was your favorite experience from this summer?
Working at the Community Fund's Annual Celebration during Alumni Weekend was very rewarding. Not only did I get to help set up at the awesome Starke Round Barn, but I also got to meet many new people. That event was one of the first times that I realized how welcoming and enjoyable people from Red Cloud are!
You actually worked part-time for Heritage Tourism this summer and full-time on your family’s farm near Holstein, NE. Can you tell our audience a bit about your family’s farm and what it was like to juggle all of your responsibilities and interests this summer?
This summer I worked part time for Red Cloud, but I also worked full time for my family farm. Work days on the farm can be very long, so finding time for both farm and internship was stressful. Once summer kicked off I was able to get into the grove of things. We grow corn, popcorn, soybeans, and we also grow alfalfa and other grasses for our own cattle. Irrigating and checking cattle are two of my most important tasks on the farm, but there are many smaller and unusual tasks that go into it too.
Do you have a favorite TV show and/or podcast?
Yellowstone is a very good show!
Do you have any pets?
We have a Black Lab and a Black Lab/Blue Healer mix.
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
I don’t get to do it much, but I really enjoy hiking! Camping and boating is also very relaxing.
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to be in two places at once. I feel like I would be able to get more done!
What do you think Red Cloud leaders could do to make it a more attractive place for recent college graduates and younger folks to move to?
Offering more internships like the one I worked for would be outstanding! Partnering with businesses to create more summer time jobs for students would be great too!
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my photography business. I have had help from former teachers but teaching myself how to use a camera has been rewarding. I really enjoy taking pictures of nature, senior pictures, and family pictures too. It is amazing to look back at some of my first pictures and see how far I have come. Photography is so fun because you get to decide how to capture the subject. Learning how to change all of the settings over all of the years has been really rewarding. Taking senior and family pictures has allowed me to slowly upgrade some of my equipment over the years too!
Do you have a mantra or mission statement you live by?
“We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” --St. Mother Teresa
What historical figure or celebrity would you most like to have dinner with? Why?
I would love to have dinner with St. Mother Teresa. She seemed like such a joyful person. No matter what she was doing, she always seemed to be so happy.
Your internship was part of a program administered by the Nebraska Community Foundation. Were there any projects in other communities that stood out to you as particularly interesting? Were there any we should attempt here?
I remember seeing some of the work from an intern from Nemaha County. He did some photography for the community but did videography as well. I think taking a step up from some of the work that I did would be spectacular.
Do you have a favorite author? How about a favorite book?
Right now, I’m reading Willa Cather’s My Antonia. It is so fascinating to hear about all of the places that I saw on the country tour this summer.
I really hope that people from my hometown and surrounding areas see this and get the chance to visit Red Cloud. There are so many fun and historic places visit!
What is your favorite song and/or recording artist?
One of my favorite artists would either be Garth Brooks or Parker McCollum.
What is your dream vacation?
I enjoy hiking! I want to go to either Glacier or Denali National Park.
Other than Red Cloud or Holstein, what’s your favorite place to visit in Nebraska?
Harry Strunk Lake by Cambridge is very peaceful.
Photography is so fun because you get to decide how to capture the subject. Learning how to change all of the settings over all of the years has been really rewarding. Taking senior and family pictures has allowed me to slowly upgrade some of my equipment over the years too!
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Explain why.
My parents have been huge influences. Seeing how hard they work to provide for my sister and I, makes we want to work just as hard.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I really hope that people from my hometown and surrounding areas see this and get the chance to visit Red Cloud. There are so many fun and historic places visit!
lukeswansonphotography@gmail.com
402-460-8755
Credits:
Luke Swanson * Nebraska Community Foundation * additional photos courtesy of Luke Swanson