MORGANTOWN, Ky. — At Butler County High School, the power of student leadership and community came to life as members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) gathered for their annual “See You at the Pole” event and first club meeting of the year. Led entirely by students, the gathering highlighted one of the Portrait of a Learner pillars that lies at the heart of Butler County Schools: Character.

Principal Stoye Young shared that this year’s event was not only well-attended but also deeply inspiring, with students stepping into leadership roles to guide their peers through faith, fellowship, and reflection. Seniors Maddie Jones and Harlie Chapman demonstrated leadership and courage, embodying the district’s vision for lifelong learners who carry values beyond the classroom.

Jones, a senior, opened the meeting with a team-building activity designed to strengthen trust and connection among members. Chapman then offered a devotional message that encouraged her classmates to reflect on their purpose and values. The meeting concluded with prayer — for their school, their community, and the nation — a moment that underscored the responsibility today’s students feel for the world they will inherit.

“The Portrait of a Learner is more than just words on paper,” Principal Young said. “When you see students leading, lifting each other up, and taking time to think beyond themselves, you see Character in action. It’s a reminder of the kind of people we are helping shape here at Butler County Schools.”

The FCA event is part of a national tradition, but what makes Butler County’s gathering unique is the way students take ownership of it. The club’s mission—to unite students through faith, friendship, and service—aligns closely with the district’s commitment to building not only strong learners but strong citizens.

The Portrait of a Learner framework highlights five essential skills and values for Butler County students: Character, Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Global Citizenship. These pillars represent the durable skills that students carry with them long after graduation. By highlighting Character through events like FCA’s gathering, students demonstrate resilience, integrity, and a willingness to support others—qualities that make a lasting difference in their communities.

For seniors like Jones and Chapman, their leadership represents years of preparation and growth, nurtured by a district that values giving students real opportunities to lead. For younger FCA members, their example serves as a model to follow: to step up, to care deeply, and to contribute meaningfully.

Photographs from the day show students gathered in both small groups and as a larger body, reflecting the balance of individual growth and collective strength. Whether through prayer circles, games, or quiet reflection, the images tell the story of a student body committed to something larger than themselves.

Butler County Schools believes that moments like this are not isolated — they are part of a bigger picture of what it means to be “Butler Strong.” When students are given the tools, encouragement, and trust to lead, they rise to the occasion, showing not only what they are capable of now, but what they will carry forward as future leaders.

As the FCA continues throughout the school year, the group will build on this foundation of Character, reminding all of Butler County High School — and the community at large — that leadership grounded in values has the power to shape schools, communities, and the future.

“Watching our students take the initiative to lead, to care for one another, and to think beyond themselves is inspiring,” Principal Young added. “It shows us that Butler County’s vision for our learners is being lived out in real and meaningful ways.”

This story, rooted in Character, is one of many across Butler County Schools that highlights how students are embodying the Portrait of a Learner. Each example brings the district closer to its vision: “One team with one vision that makes us Butler Strong.”