Highway Patrol superintendent encourages Marion youth to 'dream big'

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·3 min read
Col. Charles "Chuck" Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, served as the keynote speaker for the Peace and Freedom Committee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Palace Theatre in Marion. Jones, a native of Marion, is the 20th superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Col. Charles "Chuck" Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, served as the keynote speaker for the Peace and Freedom Committee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Palace Theatre in Marion. Jones, a native of Marion, is the 20th superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
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"Dream big" and "remember that anything is possible."

That was the advice a Marion native who has risen to the highest ranks of law enforcement in the state of Ohio offered for young people attending the community's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday.

Col. Charles "Chuck" Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, served as the keynote speaker for the Peace and Freedom Committee's event held at the Palace Theatre in downtown Marion.

Jones is the 20th superintendent of the State Highway Patrol and second Black man to hold the post, the first being his predecessor Col. Richard S. Fambro, who retired in 2022 after nearly 32 years of distinguished service. Jones was appointed superintendent in 2022.

"I want all of the young people here today to know this, everybody has a story," Jones said. "Each of you have your own story that you are still creating. Marion is home to me. Having the opportunity to come back and spend time here and spend time with you this morning is very, very important to me."

Col. Charles "Chuck" Jones, right, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, speaks to the audience during a question and answer session on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Peace and Freedom Committee's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Palace Theatre in Marion. Jones encouraged young people in the audience to "dream big" and work hard to achieve their goals in life.

Jones spoke about the importance of young people having positive role models and mentors in their lives to help them grow and develop.

"Everybody needs mentors. Everybody needs someone they can look up to, that they can talk, and who they can relate to," he said. "I was extremely fortunate to have (former Marion County Sheriff John Butterworth) fill that mentor role for me when I was a young man. To the young people here, I ask you, who is your mentor? And to those of you that are older, I ask you, who are you mentoring?"

Phyllis Butterworth, widow of former Marion County Sheriff John Butterworth, helped to introduce Jones to the audience on Monday. She shared with the audience how her late husband and Jones enjoyed a father-son relationship and the role Sheriff Butterworth played in mentoring Jones as a young man.

"Just like Dr. King, Chuck Jones had a dream. Chuck Jones also had a drive to achieve that dream," Butterworth said. "He never let the circumstances or challenges keep him from achieving his dream. He never made excuses. He never blamed anything or anyone for what he didn't have in life. Instead, he focused on what he did have. Chuck didn't grow up with money, influence of friends, or privilege. Instead, he grew up with determination."

Members of the Marion Harding High School Jr. ROTC present the colors during the annual Peace and Freedom Committee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Palace Theatre in Marion.
Members of the Marion Harding High School Jr. ROTC present the colors during the annual Peace and Freedom Committee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Palace Theatre in Marion.

In his closing remarks, Jones left the young people in the audience with a positive admonition.

"My message to the young people here is dare to dream," he said. "Your future is in your hands."

As he has in previous speeches he has given to groups in Marion County, Jones reiterated his belief that law enforcement is a "noble profession" and he encouraged young people to seek out careers in law enforcement.

Youth award winners honored

Each year, the Peace and Freedom Committee sponsors a youth oratorical, art, poetry, and essay contest. The top entrants in the 2023 contest were recognized Monday during the annual celebration.

"I want to say congratulations to all of the award recipients," Jones said during his remarks. "It is humbling to be surrounded by so many young people with extraordinary talents."

Following are the award recipients by category:

  • Oratorical Grades 3-5 - First: Ja’ron Dyer

  • Oratorical Grades 9-12 - First: Ayla Longacre

  • Art Grades Grades K-2 - First: Beckett Weatherhead; Second: Ahmir Woods; Third: Ayvah Smith

  • Art Grades 3-5 - First: Dylan Weatherhead; Second: Aspen Watkins; Third: Emmerson Burns; Fourth: Addison Tulloss

  • Art Grades 9-12 - First: Mercy Namusisi

  • Essay/Poetry Grades K-2 - First: Ajna McCurdy; Second: Harper Henderson; Third: Daniella Gomez Richards

  • Essay/Poetry Grades 3-5 - First: McKinley Miller; Second: Olivia Moore; Third: Arjun Purewall; Fourth: Adalynn Edens

  • Essay/Poetry Grades 6-8 - First: Jackson Weatherhead

  • Essay/Poetry Grades 9-12 - First: Aaliyah Starkey

For information about the Peace and Freedom Committee, go to its Facebook page or email peaceandfreedomcommittee@gmail.com.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Highway Patrol superintendent encourages Marion youth to 'dream big'