BCC students paint plow for America 250 celebration

Students in the Auto Collision program at Buckeye Career Center recently had the opportunity to combine technical skill with artistic creativity, completing a custom-painted snowplow blade for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 11.

The plow was unveiled as part of the America 250-Ohio Transportation Celebration, held April 25-26 at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum. The Transportation Celebration was one of five signature events chosen to headline the statewide America 250-Ohio commemoration.

The project was part of ODOT’s annual Paint-a-Plow program, which encourages students to paint plow blades that are used during the winter months. This year, ODOT reached out to BCC to make the project even more special by highlighting America’s 250th anniversary.

“When ODOT District 11 was invited by the Dennison Railroad Depot to participate in the America 250 Ohio Transportation Celebration, we knew this historic milestone required a truly special display,” said District 11 Deputy Director Tom Corey. “While ODOT encouraged all participants in our annual Paint-a-Plow program to honor America’s 250th anniversary this year, we saw an exciting opportunity to collaborate with BCC.”

Auto Collision instructor Jeff Newsome said the experience required his students to prep the blade, design the artwork, apply and paint the design, and complete the project in just over one month.

“I was honored that ODOT trusted BCC with such an important piece that will be on display throughout the year. We had to be on our game, and I’m so proud of how my students stepped up to make this happen within a tight timeline,” Newsome said. “This was a great learning experience that adds custom artwork to their résumés.”

Senior Lily Dallas played a key role in bringing the design to life. Dallas led much of the detailed artistic work, including tracing, cutting and masking the many stars featured on the dark blue plow, along with the American flag backdrop, BCC logos and the America 250 logo.

“We had to trace four different sizes of stars and make sure each layer lined up perfectly,” Dallas said. “It took a lot of precision and patience to make the design look authentic.”

Dallas plans to continue her education at Kent State University, where she will major in studio art while serving in the Army National Guard. She attends BCC from Claymont. She looks forward to seeing the plow again this summer when she visits the Ohio State Fair for 4-H.

Corey also praised the collaboration and the students’ work, noting the Graphic Arts lab, instructed by Jeremiah Fierbaugh, contributed to the effort.

“Mr. Newsome, Mr. Fierbaugh, and their incredibly talented students didn’t just meet our expectations — they far exceeded them with this beautiful, thoughtful plow,” Corey said. “Seeing their hard work on display for hundreds of attendees was a highlight of the event, and it serves as a proud testament to the professional-grade skills being fostered right here in our community.”

The plow blade will continue to represent ODOT and Buckeye Career Center at events across the region this summer, including the Ohio State Fair, the Tuscarawas County Fair and additional county fairs throughout ODOT District 11.