Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen recognized during Rotary Club luncheon

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·4 min read
The Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen Class of 2022 includes, from left to right, Jocelyn Stout, Cole Carpenter, Mike White, Dr. Michael McCleese, Ellen Thrush, Ben Moore, Jamie Beckett, Cory Brown, Jacob Hartman, Tyler Pigman, and Matt Carbary. Not pictured is Marshall Starks III. Each member of the Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen Class of 2022 received a Four-Way Test Coin from the Marion Rotary Club.

Young leaders working for the betterment of Marion County were honored during the Marion Rotary Club luncheon this week when the Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen Class of 2022 was introduced to local business and civic leaders.

"I really think this is one of the best things we do every year," Marion Star editor Ben Lanka said during the luncheon on Tuesday at the May Pavilion. "We tell a lot of stories about things going on around town, but this is the one time when we step back and say, 'Who are we not writing about that deserves some recognition?' The great thing is every year we wonder if we're going to get enough nominations, are they going to be good people worthy of this, and every year they are. I know there's more out there, so next year think about who should be recognized. Keep them in the back of your mind and send them our way next year."

It's the fourth year that the Marion Star, in conjunction with the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, Marion Young Professionals, and the Rotary Club, has paid tribute to people under the age of 40 who have dedicated themselves to serving the community either through their careers or by volunteering their time.

"The Class of 2022 includes business leaders, executives, and public servants," Lanka explained. "In addition to their professional roles, these young leaders are striving to make a difference in the community and many of them are even hoping to inspire younger generations.

Following is the Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen Class of 2022:

  • Jamie Beckett, 36, New Bloomington, director of the Marion County Family and Children First Council

  • Cory Brown, 35, Marion, manager of problem gambling services for the Ohio Casino Control Commission

  • Matt Carbary, 39, Marion, outgoing president of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Cole Carpenter, 36, Marion, operations manager at Simcote

  • Jacob Hartman, 32, band director for Marion City Schools

  • Dr. Michael McCleese, 33, primary care physician at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital

  • Ben Moore, 33, Marion, co-director at Royal Family Kids Marion

  • Tyler Pigman, 39, director of environmental health at Marion Public Health

  • Marshall Starks III, 36, Marion, general manager at Mathews Hyundai

  • Jocelyn Stout, 34, social studies teacher at Pleasant Middle School

  • Ellen Thrush, 35, La Rue, ongoing supervisor at Marion County Children Services

  • Mike White, 37, Marion, associate dean of technical programs at Marion Technical College

Beckett, Moore, and Stout were asked to be part of a panel during the luncheon. Lanka provided several topics for each of them to expound upon and then they fielded questions from the Rotary Club members in attendance. The first question Lanka asked them was what inspires them to make Marion a better community.

Beckett noted that she doesn't have to go too far to find inspiration, it's right in her own household.

"I have a 10-year-old daughter and everything I do is to benefit the community that she's going to grow up in," Beckett said. "That's what I try to think of every time I work for something."

As a teacher, Stout said she is inspired to reach out to and to help those children who might "fly under the radar."

"In school, I see how many great kids that we have," Stout said. "We have so many kids that will never make the winning basket in a game, so many kids that aren't in the choir or in the band. We have so many special kids who kind of fly under the radar that need led. So that's what inspires me."

Moore said through his work with disadvantaged children he is inspired to create a better future for them here in Marion County.

"With Royal Family Kids, we work with kids from the foster care system, so along with my own kids, I also want to see a generation of children who have been disadvantaged, abused, or neglected see a better community tomorrow," Moore said.

Each member of the Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen Class of 2022 received a Four-Way Test Coin from the Marion Rotary Club. According to the organization's website, the Four-Way Test is a "nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships."

The test asks the following questions: "Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

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

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Star's Dynamic Dozen recognized during Rotary Club luncheon