Elected officials pose with members of Girl Scouts Troop 2147 of Bellefontaine at the Logan County Courthouse following their lunch and learn session Monday. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)
Members of a local Girl Scouts troop enjoyed an interactive and impactful lunch and learn session on their day off school Monday, Feb. 12, with female elected officials from Logan County, the City of Bellefontaine and a state representative, each of whom provided the pre-teens with an interactive look at their varied career paths.
“Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t achieve your dream,” Logan County Family Court Judge Natasha Kennedy told the girls, all in grades 2-5, who were gathered In her courtroom. She related that she had aspirations of being a lawyer and a judge when she was younger, and didn’t let the fact no one else in her family had ever attended college hold her back.
In recent months, Judge Kennedy said she received an e-mail from the Logan County Chamber of Commerce about hosting this type of event, and she was put in touch with Girl Scouts Troop 2147 of Bellefontaine co-leader Sam Blinn. The judge noted she always jumps at chance when she gets to speak to young people.
“It’s so important because they’re our future,” she said. “Judge (Kim) Kellogg-Martin and I got lunch for the group, and we asked a number of other local elected officials to help us share with the girls. I thought it’s incredible how Logan County is full of women leaders and every single one that we asked wanted to be a part of this, too.”
“It’s really rewarding to see more and more women filling the room over these last 40 years,” Judge Kellogg-Martin agreed.
Also joining in the session with the enthusiastic Girl Scouts from the troop that just formed in November included: State Representative Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield), Logan County Treasurer Rhonda Stafford, Logan County Recorder Pat Myers, Deputy Clerk of Courts Jackie Prater and Bellefontaine City Council member Jenna James.
Rep. Manchester related when she was the same age as the Girl Scouts members, she was most interested in reading and playing music. As she got into high school and college, she began an interest in politics and a college internship in Washington, D.C., really spurred her interest in serving as a law maker. She is currently running for election to the Ohio State Senate to represent District 12.
The state representative noted how she loves making a difference in the lives of Ohio residents through the passage of various laws. Fellow guest speakers also remarked that they enjoy being able to work in their community to make life better for those around them.
Now in her fifth year as a city council member, James said she loves working in the position, in addition to her day job as an accountant.
“I enjoy that we get to help solve problems for people who come to us.”
Stafford told the youngsters that she always enjoyed math growing up, and remembers sitting in her grandmother’s office, playing with a calculator and a typewriter when she was a young girl.
“Go with your passion,” she encouraged the troop members.
Deputy Clerk of Courts Prater said she also enjoyed math in her earlier years, and received a degree in accounting.
Myers, on the other hand, said while she didn’t love math as a kid, she grew up on a farm in Warren County and quickly developed a love and appreciation for working the land. As a young adult, she began working at the Warren County 4-H Extension Office and after she got married, she began a position at the Logan County 4-H Extension Office.
She soon applied for an opening in the Logan County Recorder’s Office and eventually was appointed by the Logan County Commissioners to serve as the county recorder in December of 2012.
“It’s been a great fit for me,” Myers said. “At the recorder’s office, I’m back to my roots dealing with the importance of the land. I’m detail-oriented and I also love helping people, so it’s a rewarding job for me.”
Judge Kellogg-Martin said she was the oldest of five children and learned responsibility at a young age. While she may not have known as a youngster that she wanted to be a judge, her classmates told her that she was “fair and honest.”
She attended The Ohio State University, where as a cheerleader, she petitioned OSU leaders for important changes for her squad. It was her fearless leadership there that prompted her fellow squad members to encourage her to attend law school after she received her teaching degree, she noted.
Both Logan County Family Court judges said it’s been a very rewarding field for each of them.
“My mom always told me that I need to leave a community in a better place than how I found it,” Judge Kellogg-Martin said. “I enjoy having the ability to work with community partners and to make a difference in people’s life as well.”
“I love being a judge because I get to sit up here every day and help people,” Judge Kennedy agreed.
Following their inspiring lunch and learn session, Girl Scout Troop 2147, with co-leader Nikki Stevens, is also gearing up for their upcoming cookie sales, including sales from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 24, by Community Markets, 878 E. Sandusky Ave., Bellefontaine; and 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 by Lowe’s, 2168 S. U.S. Route 68, Bellefontaine.
Logan County Family Court Judge Kim Kellogg-Martin, standing, speaks to the Girl Scouts during their informative session Monday, while Judge Natasha Kennedy, seated next to her, looks on. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)