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Norton graduate sworn in by Judge Linda Teodosio
Rachel Kennedy, center, was joined by family members to observe her taking the oath to be admitted into the Ohio Bar Association. Pictured, from left, mother Karen Kennedy, father David Kennedy, boyfriend Erik Micallef, grandmother Lois Soyars, aunt Kathy Kitchen and Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio. (Photo courtesy of Summit County Juvenile Court).
Published: December 7, 2015
AKRON––It was fitting that the culmination of a dream was realized where it started: in the courtroom of Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio.
Norton High School graduate Rachel Kennedy (Class of 2008) was sworn into the Ohio State Bar Association by Judge Teodosio in front of family members and her boyfriend on Nov. 18.
It was in that very courtroom that Rachel said she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in law.
She served as one of the original volunteers in the court’s Teen Court, a diversionary program where student volunteers assume the roles of jurors, prosecutor and defense attorney in an actual dispositional, or sentencing, hearing for a youth who had previously admitted to committing a low-level, nonviolent misdemeanor.
The volunteers were trained on court procedure and the principles of restorative justice.
The volunteers were encouraged to render creative dispositions so not only are youth held accountable for their actions, they do something positive to complete the disposition handed down by the jury. If the youth successfully complete the terms of their disposition, the charge against them would be dismissed.
From the outset, Rachel said she took her responsibility as a juror very seriously.
“I always found it interesting how we would deliberate in the jury room and recognize whether the youth was telling the whole truth,” she said. “If we felt they were being honest, we gave them an appropriate disposition. If we saw through what they were saying, we tried to be creative but we let them know the truth would have served them better.”
It wasn’t long before Rachel began serving as a prosecutor or defense attorney. She was aided by advice from a bar association attorney if she was the defense attorney, or by an assistant county prosecutor. The experience she said sparked something inside of her.
“I had always enjoyed watching shows on television dealing with the law, but I never thought it was a possibility,” Rachel said. “But after volunteering on Teen Court, I knew it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Following her graduation from Norton High School, she attended The University of Akron where she graduated magna cum laude from its Honors College. She was accepted into the university’s law school and graduated in May 2015. She passed the bar exam on her first attempt.
“Through it all, the support my family gave me was invaluable,” said Rachel. “They always encouraged me.”
Rachel credits her accomplishment as a product of perseverance and purpose. She said she hopes other Teen Court participants recognize that, like her, one doesn’t need extensive resources to be able to become an attorney.
She could have gone to Columbus to be sworn in with many of the 795 individuals who passed the bar exam in July. However, she said there was only one person she wanted to give her the oath: Judge Teodosio.
And, so, the Kennedy family gathered to see Rachel admitted into the Ohio Bar. Before she administered the oath, Judge Teodosio addressed them.
“There are so many people who want to pursue the law and out of all of them, there were only 795 of you who were able to make your dream come true, and that is something very special,” said Judge Teodosio. “Our whole legal system is built on order and the rule of law, and Rachel, it is a testament to you that you have chosen to use your skills to make the world a better place.”
If Rachel has it her way, she said she wants to use those skills as a prosecuting attorney.
“I think a career in public service is my future,” she said. “It’s a way to give back.”