The world needs one more lawyer
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
A dozen years ago – give or take – a rather tall order from Shawnee State University by way of Lucasville Valley High School walked into my office in search of employment.
She introduced herself to Angie Matticks and me just ahead of the pending job interview.
This would-be journalist came highly recommended by another journalist from Scioto County, and a well-respected one at that, by the name of Jennifer Moorhead.
Prior to the “Tall Girl’s” arrival in Highland County, Jennifer had promised that she would be a great hire. Not a good hire. But a great hire.
For whatever reason, Jennifer opted not to mention that this young graduate from Shawnee State University was tall. (Not “freakishly” tall, but tall by most standards, nonetheless.) That’s OK.
It was rumored, too, that the Tall Girl also excelled in basketball. Later, we would explore that rumor. And, yes, it was just a rumor.
In the ensuing decade, the Tall Girl would soar to heights even greater than her own considerable stature. In time, she would hold public officials to an ethical standard of excellence that many feared they could not maintain. And, in fact, some did not.
She wrote hundreds (perhaps thousands) of stories and photographed hundreds of people and events in Highland County. The awards for her journalistic abilities were many and well-deserved.
She had the unfortunate – and often unpleasant – assignment of reporting on a judicial matter of significant historic proportions in the state of Ohio involving a most gentlemanly elected official and one whom she still admires for his professional courtesy throughout the ordeal. It was – and is – a credit to both.
She interviewed John Kasich, too, in Hillsboro, outside the Highland House Museum. That was before he was governor. You’ll have to ask her about that interview.
She interviewed U.S. Sen. Rob Portman inside his campaign RV in Wilmington. No other reporter was invited.
She covered fatal accidents and fatal fires. She argued with her editor that a structure could be “involved” in flames, while it was, in fact, “engulfed” in flames. Constructive criticism be damned.
One day, she applied for a great opportunity for a Kiplinger Fellowship at The Ohio State University John Glenn Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism.
At first, she was denied.
That happens.
But Dr. Debra Jasper, who was largely responsible for new students being accepted – or rejected – had roots in Appalachia, as did the Tall Girl. Dr. Jasper’s dad was a gifted storyteller from Flatwoods. Dr. Jasper owed this one to the Tall Girl.
She had to pay it forward, as she was reminded time and again. She did.
The Tall Girl was accepted. (Good riddance.)
She completed the program with honors.
She worked with The Highland County Press for a few years.
She had it good. Really.
But for some unholy reason, she decided to go to law school.
She enrolled at Capital University.
As Shakespeare once said – or maybe it was Tom Tepe – the world needs more lawyers.
This past weekend, the award-winning newspaper journalist from Highland County graduated from Capital University with her law degree.
Tim and Carol Chandler were duly proud of their daughter.
For all those who ask about Brandy Chandler, please know that she has accomplished that which she set out to accomplish.
Congratulations, Brandy. Your friends in Highland County are happy for you.
Please don’t sue me.
Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.
She introduced herself to Angie Matticks and me just ahead of the pending job interview.
This would-be journalist came highly recommended by another journalist from Scioto County, and a well-respected one at that, by the name of Jennifer Moorhead.
Prior to the “Tall Girl’s” arrival in Highland County, Jennifer had promised that she would be a great hire. Not a good hire. But a great hire.
For whatever reason, Jennifer opted not to mention that this young graduate from Shawnee State University was tall. (Not “freakishly” tall, but tall by most standards, nonetheless.) That’s OK.
It was rumored, too, that the Tall Girl also excelled in basketball. Later, we would explore that rumor. And, yes, it was just a rumor.
In the ensuing decade, the Tall Girl would soar to heights even greater than her own considerable stature. In time, she would hold public officials to an ethical standard of excellence that many feared they could not maintain. And, in fact, some did not.
She wrote hundreds (perhaps thousands) of stories and photographed hundreds of people and events in Highland County. The awards for her journalistic abilities were many and well-deserved.
She had the unfortunate – and often unpleasant – assignment of reporting on a judicial matter of significant historic proportions in the state of Ohio involving a most gentlemanly elected official and one whom she still admires for his professional courtesy throughout the ordeal. It was – and is – a credit to both.
She interviewed John Kasich, too, in Hillsboro, outside the Highland House Museum. That was before he was governor. You’ll have to ask her about that interview.
She interviewed U.S. Sen. Rob Portman inside his campaign RV in Wilmington. No other reporter was invited.
She covered fatal accidents and fatal fires. She argued with her editor that a structure could be “involved” in flames, while it was, in fact, “engulfed” in flames. Constructive criticism be damned.
One day, she applied for a great opportunity for a Kiplinger Fellowship at The Ohio State University John Glenn Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism.
At first, she was denied.
That happens.
But Dr. Debra Jasper, who was largely responsible for new students being accepted – or rejected – had roots in Appalachia, as did the Tall Girl. Dr. Jasper’s dad was a gifted storyteller from Flatwoods. Dr. Jasper owed this one to the Tall Girl.
She had to pay it forward, as she was reminded time and again. She did.
The Tall Girl was accepted. (Good riddance.)
She completed the program with honors.
She worked with The Highland County Press for a few years.
She had it good. Really.
But for some unholy reason, she decided to go to law school.
She enrolled at Capital University.
As Shakespeare once said – or maybe it was Tom Tepe – the world needs more lawyers.
This past weekend, the award-winning newspaper journalist from Highland County graduated from Capital University with her law degree.
Tim and Carol Chandler were duly proud of their daughter.
For all those who ask about Brandy Chandler, please know that she has accomplished that which she set out to accomplish.
Congratulations, Brandy. Your friends in Highland County are happy for you.
Please don’t sue me.
Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.