A Plain City teen is getting involved in Ohio’s government through Attorney General Dave Yost’s Teen Ambassador Board.
Jonathan Alder Senior Sharon Keefer was recently named a Teen Ambassador, through which she will get a behind the scenes look at state government and have an opportunity to provide input on issues related to teens.
Keefer, who said her career goal is to become a lawyer, said she is excited to learn about local government and the process to obtain a law degree.
She said she learned about the opportunity through Cheryl Grossman, a former mayor of Grove City who works with Keefer’s mother, who was familiar with the program.
As an aspiring lawyer, Keefer said she was interested in getting a closer look at what her career path could look like.
For the application, she wrote in response to several prompts surrounding her strengths and interests. Her basketball coach at Jonathan Alder, Allen Eggleston, also submitted a statement on her behalf.
Keefer was selected to serve on the board with a group of junior and senior high school students from throughout the state. Each Teen Ambassador is selected to serve a one-year term.
“Students will address some of the greatest issues facing our state and develop solutions to improve the lives of Ohioans,” according to the Attorney General’s website. “Ambassadors will have the opportunity to receive training on important and pertinent matters, meet with elected officials and interact with assistant attorneys general.”
As a Teen Ambassador, Keefer has already participated in one meeting of the board.
“I honestly found it very interesting,” she said.
The board met at the Rhodes State Office Tower in downtown Columbus on Aug. 8. Keefer said the group met Yost, along with several assistant attorneys general.
Keefer said she enjoyed hearing about their law backgrounds and opportunities that exist in their professional field.
“It kind of opened my eyes a little bit… so I can see what I’m getting into,” she said.
Aside from building relationships with elected officials and fellow attorneys, Keefer said she appreciated the opportunity to meet teens from throughout the state who are also interested in government and law.
Keefer said the group played “get to know you bingo,” which helped her learn about the areas each student represented and the issues they experience in their communities.
Although there may have been some variation between board members from small towns and larger cities, she said the ambassadors “definitely, definitely” agreed on many of the issues facing their generation.
Keefer said she would personally like to speak with the board about bullying, mental health and “what social media does to kids my age.”
Keefer also emphasized the opportunity to serve as a Teen Ambassador as a chance to engage in civil discourse.
She encouraged community members, beyond just those her age, to “keep an open mind” and take time to listen to the ideas and opinions of their peers.
“I know it’s hard in our world to not say something” when you do not agree with the opinion of others, she said.
She added that the Teen Ambassador board is an example that “everyone has a perspective to bring to the table” based on their experiences and the issues they have faced.
As she enters her senior year at Jonathan Alder High School, Keefer said she has already begun her college search and would like to stay in Ohio for at least a portion of her further education. She said she is particularly excited for her final high school basketball season.