Page 3 - St Anthony summer 2016 Newsletter

Te Honorable Jasmine Twitty Te Honorable Jasmine Twitty is a 2000 graduate of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. Judge Twitty visited St. Anthony’s this March to tour the new school and speak with students about her education, career and recent appointment to Associate Judge. Te school was also very honored to have Judge Twitty as the speaker at this year’s Sixth Grade Graduation. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to talk with Judge Twitty about her success, leadership and St. Anthony School. Judge Twitty began her judicial career in 2011 as a Night Court Clerk at the court that never sleeps in South Carolina, Greenville County Bond Court. In less than 5 years, at age 25, she parlayed the skills that she gained in that time to be appointed as an Associ- ate Judge of Easley Municipal Court on August 10, 2015. Judge Twitty is currently em- ployed by both courts and experiences the inner workings of South Carolina’s judicial system and enforcement of state laws. Judge Twitty received her B.A. in Political Science in 2010 from College of Charleston, where she completed her undergraduate career in less than 4 years. Her community involvement is geared towards education and young professionals. Today, you will fnd Judge Twitty in schools and universities sharing South Carolina Judicial System with future leaders. She is currently the President of Urban League Upstate Network and Communications Co-Chair of LeadHER Greenville. Judge Twitty also serves on the Talented Tenth Greenville Planning Committee. Te goals of Talented Tenth Greenville Conference are to recruit and retain young talent to the Greenville region, and facilitate the development of the next generation of leaders. Judge Jasmine Twitty hopes her relentless work ethic and leadership will inspire more young people to break down barriers. Q& A WITH JUDGE TWITTY Q. Why did you decide to pursue a ca- in a court that never sleeps prepared me a teacher that made an impact on reer as a judge? for the role of an Associate Judge. Once I me, and for good reasons. First and mastered my duties as a night court clerk, foremost, he expected a lot from his A. First, I always knew that I wanted to I became intentional about pursuing a students and he wanted us to learn work for the government in some ca- judgeship. and love learning. An example of this pacity, as I have always been intrigued that immediately comes to my mind by the diferent levels of government, Q. Can you tell us about LeadHER, a is Deacon James Williams giving us a policy making and law. Well, less than group you co-founded? week or so to learn Te Bill of Rights. 6 months afer my college graduation, Tough this isn’t a hard task now, I I started work as a night court clerk at A. LeadHER is a team of young profes- remember the 4th or 5th grade ver- the frst 24 hour court in South Caro- sional women who empower each other sion of me reciting Te Bill of Rights lina. Tis is a court that operates while to make a positive impact in the work- to my parents, aunts and uncles nu- people are fast asleep in their beds at force and in the community. We provide merous times before I fnally remem- night. Being a court clerk there requires a professional and personal network for bered them. I believe this instance, one to be fexible, well-spoken, conf- members to cultivate their leadership and many others like it, helped shape dent, personable, and able to adapt to skills. LeadHER services the community the way I approach life; when tack- new situations. All clerks are respon- through outreach. LeadHER women are ling an unfamiliar task, think of what sible for coordinating bond hearings. from diverse career paths with one com- you’ve overcome and keep practicing Night clerks do that and fulfll the mon goal: leaving the Upstate better than until you’ve perfected whatever is set needs of 9 outlying magistrate courts we found it. before you. afer business hours. Working as a night Q. You have said, “it all started at St. An- clerk includes a large caseload of low thony’s” What did you learn at St. An- court and high court cases. Te posi- thony School that has contributed to your tion also requires clerks to stay updated success? on the changes in laws, be familiar with Criminal Data Report codes, meet the A. I learned how to struggle and overcome needs of 4 judges, etc. Needless to say, challenges at St. Anthony’s. As previously working nights, weekends and holidays mentioned, Deacon James Williams was St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School newsletter 3