MORGANTOWN, KY — November 10, 2025 — What happens when students take the lead in helping their community? At North Butler Elementary, the answer was clear: teamwork, service, and a powerful example of Collaboration, one of Butler County Schools’ key Portrait of a Learner pillars.

The NBES Fall Food Drive, held the week of November 3–7, brought together students, staff, and families in a schoolwide effort to collect and organize food items for local families in need. The project was coordinated by the NBES 5th Grade Student Advisory Team, led by AmeriCorps Student and Butler County High School senior Harlie Chapman, under the guidance of Brandie Smith, Family Resource Center Coordinator at NBES.

Together, students planned and advertised the food drive, creating colorful flyers and organizing collection points throughout the school. Each fifth-grade student participated by designing posters, spreading the word, and helping to sort donations. Their combined efforts resulted in an incredible 1,161 food items collected, a tangible display of teamwork and compassion that will make a difference for families across the community.

The advisory team members (Levi Allen, Gibson Whittinghill, Degan Snodgrass, Ella Kate Johnson, Laynee Ellis, Ada Brown, Aden Henderson, Aaron Blunk, Carlee Baxter, and Lucian Smith) worked tirelessly throughout the week, counting and loading donations with pride. Their dedication reflects the Portrait of a Learner pillar of Collaboration, which emphasizes working effectively with others, valuing diverse perspectives, and achieving shared goals for the greater good.

“Through organizing a food drive, these students built more than a collection of donations… they built community,” said Brandie Smith, NBES Family Resource Center Coordinator. “They showed what happens when young people take ownership of a project and work together for something bigger than themselves.”

The project also offered leadership experience for Harlie Chapman, the BCHS senior serving with AmeriCorps through the Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) program. Harlie’s mentorship provided a bridge between the elementary and high school levels, reinforcing the district’s emphasis on lifelong learning and mentorship across all grades.

“I loved seeing how excited the fifth graders were to make a difference,” said Harlie Chapman. “They had ideas for how to get everyone involved, from making posters to counting cans, and they really stepped up to make it happen.”

North Butler Elementary Principal and teachers supported the initiative by encouraging classroom participation and celebrating the students’ progress throughout the week. Photos shared from the event capture smiling students surrounded by boxes of donations, a testament to their enthusiasm and teamwork.

The impact of this project extends far beyond the number of items collected. It embodies the Portrait of a Learner framework that Butler County Schools has woven into every classroom; this is a district-wide vision that empowers students not just to achieve academically, but to grow into thoughtful, collaborative citizens.

Through this food drive, NBES students demonstrated key collaboration skills:

• Shared Responsibility: Each student had a defined role, from flyer creation to donation tracking.
  
  Communication and Planning: Students brainstormed together, delegated tasks, and coordinated with staff and volunteers.
  
  Service and Leadership: Their efforts directly supported families within their own community, reinforcing empathy and civic awareness.

This story highlights what makes Butler County Schools unique: a commitment to teaching not only academic excellence, but also the durable skills that prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

The NBES Fall Food Drive is a shining example of how the district’s mission comes to life: creating learners who are not only capable thinkers but also caring collaborators. It reminds us that education is about more than knowledge; it’s about character, connection, and community.

As Butler County Schools continues to celebrate stories like this across the district, the message is clear: when students work together, they make a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the walls of their school.

Together, they remind us all of the vision that unites Butler County: One team with one vision that makes us Butler Strong.