We have known Marcia Bibbs since she began as a young student in Oxford schools more than four decades ago. Naturally, we were thrilled to see her named Oxford School District’s 2017 Citizen of the Year.

It was easy to see in Ms. Bibbs beginning with her days as a student, rising through elementary school, junior high and high school in Oxford, that she valued education, teachers, students. She was the type of student who pulled for her peers, and elevated the level of education for all with a positive, redeeming spirit.

Bibbs brought that same spirit years later to the Oxford schools as a valued employee, managing daily challenges by typically juggling multiples balls at once with a smile on her face, and maintaining encouragement for the students, always.

Now, Bibbs works outside Oxford schools professionally, but still, dedicates so much of her free time as a parent an overall supporter of the system that the district knew she deserved its Citizen of the Year award.

OSD Superintendent Bryan Harvey noted that Bibbs is there to support not only her child, but all children. And that’s the way it has been since she began supporting her peers as a student more than four decades ago.

We don’t say this lightly because we believe Marcia Bibbs is truly one of a kind. She is a wonderful Oxford citizen who makes our little world so much better.