BUCYRUS – The artistic talents of Bucyrus students were in the spotlight during the regular monthly meeting of the district’s Board of Education March 28.
Crawford Success Center Operations Manager Amanda Sheets presented a group of Bucyrus students with certificates for two college credit hours at North Central State College for their participation in the Arts for Success fundraiser for North Central State College. Alexia Adams, Jessica Mahley, Alexis Pival, Natalee Predieri, Caleigh Rister, Abigail Solomon, Kelly Stratton, Kylee Tighe, Makenzie Tighe and Breanna Zornes each donated their artwork for the silent auction.
“We successfully raised more than $25,000 for student scholarships thanks, in part, to the art work donated by the Bucyrus students,” Sheets said. “I want to thank Michael Striker and the Bucyrus City Schools for being an invaluable partner for this event.”
The next group of students received commendations from the Board for having their artwork on display in the Lincoln Administrative Center and the Bucyrus Public Library.
Students recognized included Tanner Alsept, Skylene Alvarez, Nate Amos, Summer Amrine, Bing Jing He, Dillion Downing, Hannah Ireton, Haley Evans, Alissa Johnson, Koden Lewis, Bella McLarnan, Quistis McPeek, Lincoln Mollenkopf, Autumn Paul, Brady Rankins, Caleigh Rister, Maddie Shreck, Skye Stamper, Abbie Stander, Kelly Stratton, Mia Wells and Madelyn Williams.
The final group of students were recognized for submitting their artwork for judging in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. Ashley Davis, Haley Easterday, Jessica Mahley, Alexis Pival, Natalee Predieri, Callie Reynolds, Caleigh Rister, Makenzie Tighe and Jillian Wise all received commendations from the board. Caleigh Rister received special recognition from the board for having her photograph, “Santa’s Workshop,” selected as one of the top 300 pieces of art work in the state. Rister’s photograph will be on display at the Rhodes Tower in Columbus.
“I am proud of all these students for allowing their artwork to be on display in the community and submitting it for judging in the state competition,” Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “The visual arts program is strong in our district because of the teachers who help our students expand their artistic capabilities.”
The board recognized the Crawford Partnership and Executive Director Gary Frankhouse for their continuing support of the Leader in Me program at Bucyrus Elementary School. The board accepted a donation from the Partnership for more than $9,000 during the meeting and presented Frankhouse with a commendation.
The board reviewed a proposal to name the softball field after longtime coach and district advocate Jack Hewitt. A community member approached the Athletics Council about the idea, and the council made the recommendation to the board.
“Mr. Hewitt has been part of the Bucyrus softball program for many years,” Kimmel said. “He was one of the coaches of the 1991 state champion softball team, and it is very fitting that our softball field be named in his honor.”
The board also discussed student fees for the 2019-2020 school year. The decision was made to waive the pay-to-participate fees and keep the drug testing fees the same at $30.
The board recessed to executive session after approving all other items on the agenda, with no additional action being taken. The next regular monthly meeting of the Bucyrus City School District Board of Education will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Administrative Center Board Room Thursday, April 25.
