Nebraska Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mary Thach, 08AUG2015.

“I consider myself an artist. I’ve been taking art ever since elementary school and into high school. I’ve been doing a lot of shows, school conferences, art districts and open theater.”-Mariah Harm

In 2015, then Stapleton (population just over 300) High School senior Mariah Harm designed artwork for the Nebraska Air National Guard’s Community Nose Art Program, which ended up on a KC-135R Stratotanker of the 155th Air Refueling Wing.

“That is to represent how business and agriculture come together. In Stapleton, that’s a big deal. Agriculture and business are a big part of our little town. I chose the silhouette of the horses in the background because we do a lot of horse work and cattle work. One of the main parts of my design was a handshake, because the symbolism of a handshake is equality, trust, it’s a fair deal. It shows everybody that you’re working to do (some) good.”

Of course it doesn’t hurt that Mariah’s father started the Nebraska Community Nose Art Program, 11 years prior.

Nebraska Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mary Thach, 08AUG2015.

Nebraska Air National Guard video, from 2011, explaining the Community Nose Art Program:

Nose Art: TENNESSEE KC-135 NOSE ART