Marion, OH – Ninth-grade students from Bucyrus City Schools participated in a Career-Connected Service Learning event on May 15, 2026, at The Ohio State University at Marion. The experience connected citizenship, community service, and career readiness through real-world problem-solving.
The event was co-created with support from higher education and business champions, including The Ohio State University at Marion and Advanced Fiber Technology of Bucyrus. Together with Bucyrus City Schools, they designed an experience that helped students explore how service, education, and community partnerships can address real needs.
Students began the day with a “Being a Citizen” activity led by Dr. Abigail Stebbins, Assistant Professor of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State Marion. A featured portion of the day highlighted The Peanut Butter Jelly Truck and Lumpy Loads of Laundry, operated by a Marion-based nonprofit organization focused on addressing food insecurity and supporting families with basic needs.
Students participated in an interactive presentation with volunteer Bev Young, visited the Peanut Butter Jelly Truck, learned about the delivery process, and helped make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to support outreach efforts. The experience aligned with Bucyrus City Schools’ Learner’s Compass by helping students practice responsible citizenship, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving in a real-world context.
“Ohio State Marion was proud to help co-design this experience with Bucyrus City Schools because it connects students to citizenship, service, and community impact in a meaningful way,” said Cathy Gerber, Director of Development and Community Relations at The Ohio State University at Marion. “When students learn on a college campus while engaging with real community needs, they begin to see themselves not only as future students or employees, but as people who can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.”
The day also created an opportunity for Bucyrus community leaders to learn alongside students and consider how local leaders can continue working together around positive change. Community leaders in attendance included Bruce Truka, Mayor of Bucyrus; Jon Dorsey, Chief of Police, Bucyrus City Police; Victoria Caldwell, Director of Crawford County Mentors; Lisa Workman, Executive Director of the Crawford Community Foundation; Jeff Reser, President of Bucyrus Rotary; and Matt Crall, Juvenile and Family Court Judge.
“Advanced Fiber Technology was honored to help champion this experience because employers need problem-solvers, collaborators, and people who care about making things better. This event gave students a chance to practice those skills in a meaningful, service-based way, said Adam Weiser, General Manager.
Bucyrus City Schools leaders emphasized that the event supports the district’s True North vision by helping students connect future careers with leadership, service, and responsibility to others.
“Our True North vision is about helping students navigate toward career success, but career success is about more than preparing for employment,” said Superintendent Bob Britton. “It is also about helping students understand how their skills, choices, and leadership can strengthen their community. Experiences like this help students develop empathy, problem-solving, communication, and a sense of responsibility to others.”
Mayor Bruce Truka said the event offered an important opportunity for students and community leaders to think together about service and local needs. “When young people see adults working together to solve problems, they begin to understand that community leadership is something they can grow into and participate in,” said Mayor Bruce Truka. “This experience is a reminder that positive change happens when schools, city leaders, and civic organizations work together around a shared purpose.”
Students also participated in a debrief and extension activity, ate lunch on campus, and toured the OSU Alber Student Center.
Bucyrus City Schools expressed appreciation to The Ohio State University at Marion, Advanced Fiber Technology, The Peanut Butter Jelly Truck and Lumpy Loads of Laundry, Bev Young, and the community leaders who attended to support students and explore future possibilities for service learning and community collaboration.
About Bucyrus City Schools
Guided by its vision of True North: Navigating Students to Career Success, Bucyrus City Schools is redefining career readiness through a seamless PreK-12 system of career-connected learning. This districtwide approach inspires, equips, and empowers all learners to navigate their futures with confidence, purpose, and skill.
Media Contact:
Amy Wood
Director of Leadership and District Partnerships
Bucyrus City Schools
awood@bucyrusschools.org