The Advocate's 20 Under 40 honorees focus on education to take advantage of opportunities

USA Today

15-12-2024

The Advocate's 20 Under 40 honorees focus on education to take advantage of opportunities
NEWARK − There are many questions about Licking County's future as it prepares for unprecedented growth and development, but one answer emerges from The Advocate's 20 Under 40 honorees: Education.
Two of this year's recipients work in the education field — a principal and a teacher. Four others are involved in education part time or through volunteer work. But the importance of education emerges in many others' answers to Advocate questions.
The Advocate's 11th annual 20 Under 40 recognition also includes a police sergeant, nurse, a 911 Center deputy director, bank vice president, financial advisor, civil engineer, business owner and marketing director.
The young leaders' focus on education is not limited to the classroom but also to the workplace. It's not only for preschool through high school but throughout life.
Nick Hancock, 33, of Newark, principal at Johnstown Middle School, said schools now don't just teach those inside the school buildings but reach out to the community.
'At Johnstown-Monroe Schools, we are partnering with our local businesses and industries to find out what they need in their workforce to provide meaningful courses and experiences that will inspire and prepare our students for our future industry demands in Licking County,' Hancock said.
Hancock, a 2010 graduate of Licking Valley High School, was a middle school teacher for Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County's STEM program for eight years. He is also the youth pastor at Christian Apostolic Church of Newark.
'Licking County leaders should continue to invest in our schools and our young people,' Hancock said. 'We need to continue to teach the skills and education that our future workforce will demand, while also instilling our values of hard work, integrity, and community responsibility.'
Kristen Rose, 35, of Newark, a fourth-grade teacher at Licking Valley Schools, also works for Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities as an independent provider for a former student with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
'Being an educator, the kids are my motivation,' Rose said. 'Investing in growing the knowledge of children is investing in our collective future. Educated kids grow into adults that are functioning members of society.
'In my personal life, my faith is important to me. Helping others and being involved in my community answers the classic 'What would Jesus do?' question.'
Rose also serves as a deacon at her church and coordinates getting volunteers to the Licking County warming shelter. She began fostering dogs in 2023 and has since helped place 18 dogs in their forever homes.
Her students help her knit hats to be delivered to babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, and she also helps Knitted Knockers, an organization that helps breast cancer patients after their reconstructive surgery.
More education for everyone
Alyssa Harris, 36, of Madison Township, director of new communities at Wilcox Communities, a builder and developer in Worthington, embraced education as the key for the county.
She said supporting teachers with competitive salaries, collaborating with colleges to create pathways for further education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for adults will help residents adapt to changing job markets.
'To secure a bright future for Licking County, community leaders should prioritize education as a cornerstone for long-term success,' Harris said. 'By focusing on these strategies, Licking County leaders can strengthen the educational landscape, benefiting current students and the community as a whole for future generations.'
Harris volunteers as a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and a school board member at Blessed Sacrament School in Newark.
Kelsey Duke, 35, of Newark, infection preventionist at Licking Memorial Hospital, teaches nursing clinicals at Central Ohio Technical College, helps as a preschool volunteer and provides first aid at the Hartford Fair. She said more education is needed for all facets of life.
'I see so many opportunities to improve the well-being of others simply because people don't know what they don't know,' Duke said. 'People experience hardships whether they are related to health or financial concerns, and this is new territory to them, so they struggle when there are resources available within the community that they are unaware of.'
Commitment to community
Kayla Jones, 39, of McKean Township, organization director at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, advises people to volunteer in some way to help their community.
She is a member of the McKean Township Comprehensive Plan Review Board, the Utica FFA Advisory Board, a leader at First United Methodist Church and an adviser for Kids and Kritters 4-H Club.
'Get involved.,' Jones said. 'You can't stand back and watch other people do the hard work and expect it to just get done. Jump in and help, even if it's something small.
'It doesn't need to be a large financial contribution, you can make a small difference by delivering meals for the Look Up Center on Thanksgiving or serving a meal at the Salvation Army.'
Bailey McCoy, 30, of Newark, executive director at Canal Market District, was elected president of the Downtown Newark Association in 2023, volunteers at Granville Co-op Preschool; plans Final Fridays events on the Square and served a year in AmeriCorps, coordinating a national nutrition program.
'As leaders, we should place a priority on our community involvements, as they can be just as or even more important and impactful than our jobs,' Bailey said.
For some, their jobs are their community involvement.
Jon and Emily Gilliam, both 33, of Heath, owners of Second Street Market boutique style shop, are playing a big role in downtown Newark's development. The husband-wife team will open The Archive Bottle Shop in The Arcade, when it reopens in 2025. Jon also owns OhioTRUE apparel, headed for The Arcade. They are both in leadership positions with Downtown Newark Association.
'For us, it's all about creating a sense of belonging," Emily Gilliam said. "It's important to have spaces where people can come together and feel connected, like events or local businesses. When people feel like they matter, opportunities naturally follow."
Helping those less fortunate
Although Licking County has experienced an influx of large companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft and soon Intel, many Licking Countians are not yet reaping the rewards.
More than one-third of Licking County residents, or 37%, are either living in poverty or struggling to pay for basic necessities, despite having a job. The latter category is Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.
There are 25,840 Licking County households living below the ALICE threshold, which means in poverty or one flat tire or unexpected medical expense from financial disaster. Half of Newark households are either in poverty or ALICE.
Shelby Conley, 35, of Heath, finance and operations director at United Way of Licking County, said affordable housing, accessible transportation, healthcare, youth development and job training are all essential to help ALICE households.
'The development in Licking County has been exciting to witness, but it's crucial to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all residents,' Conley said. 'It is vital for government, business leaders, nonprofits and residents to work together to address these priorities and ensure a thriving, inclusive future as our county continues to grow.'
Jessica Wiley, 30, of Westerville, marketing and communication specialist at Licking County Transit, said the new transit routes in Newark and Granville, and next year in Heath, make a big difference for senior citizens, students and families.
'I am profoundly inspired by the transformative power of transit in people's lives,' Wiley said. 'Transit is not just a means of transportation. It's freedom.'
Mitch Cox, 30, of Newark, financial adviser at Edward Jones, said a variety of workforce opportunities and living options are essential to include everyone.
'We need to continue sharing ideas and lending a helping hand to others,' Cox said. 'As leaders we need to continue having a growth-oriented mindset and challenge ourselves to make sure no one is left behind.'
Alexa Wente, 37, of Zanesville, peer support director at The Main Place, a mental health recovery center in Newark, said the homeless population must be included in the county's progress.
'They need to increase opportunities and resources for neighbors who are unsheltered in our community by finding ways to meet people where they are,' Wente said. 'A large way of accomplishing this task is through education of what is already available within the community.'
Cary Loughman, executive director of the Main Place, said, 'She goes out three to four times a week outside of her normal work duties and provides outreach to homeless individuals in woods, under bridges and many other settings to encourage them to seek help and start their own recovery journey.
'This person truly cares for each person she encounters and uses her talents and resources to try to find help for people who are just trying to survive another day.'
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In their own words
'I want to make the community a safe place to raise a family and have the 'all-American' life. Knowing that I can have a direct link to the safety and well-being of others is all of the motivation that I need to lace my boots up in the morning." — Jarad Harper, sergeant with Newark Police Department
'I feel lucky to have found my sense of belonging to a community, and I continue to meet so many people who make a difference in my life here in Licking County.' — Bailey McCoy, executive director at Canal Market District
'I am motivated by the sense of duty and the critical decision-making required during moments of crisis, knowing that our actions can have a direct and meaningful impact on those experiencing an emergency.' — Nathan Bryan, deputy director at Licking County 911 Center
'The greatest key to unlocking opportunity is literacy. Strong literacy rates allow opportunities for everyone.' — Kristen Rose, teacher at Licking Valley Schools
'With my transition into community philanthropy, I am honored to be a part of such a passionate, committed group of professionals that work daily to lift individuals in our community and provide valuable financial resources and education to help organizations and individuals in need.' — Becca Mastroianni, finance and program associate at Licking County Foundation
'Opportunities are limitless if people have the freedom to pursue them. Eliminating barriers is how we can incorporate everyone into our community's future.' — Sam Eppley, civil engineer at Verdantas
'I believe that Licking County leaders should encourage development of historic buildings and think outside of the box to encourage commerce to come to Licking County. If we can renovate historic buildings to fit a modern need, we are accomplishing two important things: Preservation and sustaining for the future.' — Michael Maher, professional services manager at Lowe's
'Providing opportunities for everyone in a growing Licking County means creating a community where all people, regardless of background, age, race or income level can thrive.' — Alisha Tilley, claims learning and development manager at Westfield Insurance
'Licking County leaders must continue to prioritize opportunities for young people within their organizations. Leaders should embrace this change rather than fear it, seeing it as an opportunity to bring their organizations into the future.' — Amelia Hitchens, marketing director at Licking County Chamber of Commerce
'Geese fly together; they share a common goal and direction. People who share a common goal and direction can get where they are going much faster and much more efficiently because they benefit from the momentum of the group.' — Andrew Molnar, application analyst coordinator at Trinity Health
'Trust is the cornerstone of growth. The trust built with corporate leaders is a crucial takeaway for any community to flourish, especially in uncertain times. Trust between local leaders, businesses and residents must be cultivated.' — Andria Coppel, vice president at Huntington Bank