Judge Martin tells students: yearn to learn, then earn

Greene Superior Court Judge Dena Martin. (Greene County Daily World/Mark Stalcup) [Order this photo]

"Possibly," said seventh-grader Vaughn Johnson, 12. "It was a very good speech."

Martin, a Worthington-Jefferson graduate, told White River Valley students that obtaining at least a high school diploma is crucial to their futures.

"I want to speak with you about the importance of having an education, and also the lack of options you can face if you don't have an education," Martin said. "In my position, unfortunately, I get to see a lot of that latter category."

A lack of education can lead to a lack of employment opportunities, and in a tough economy, can sometimes lead to crime.

"A lot of the people I see in court did do what they are charged with," Martin said. "When they come before me, not all of them say they didn't do what they're charged with. Some just want to explain why they did it."

For example, some charged with theft did so to feed their children, or buy books because they lack work, often due to dropping out and never completing high school.

Others facing criminal charges can find education a key step on the path to rehabilitation, Martin told students. Some defendants who face drug charges enter treatment and began seeking education.

Ultimately, that can lead to a better life.

The judge's invitation to speak came courtesy of WRV educator Mary Puntney. Martin was one of the WRV French and Spanish teacher's first students when she began teaching.

Martin also spoke with the students about what it takes to become an attorney and judge.

As an honors graduate and valedictorian of the last graduating class from Worthington-Jefferson High School, Martin attended Indiana University-Bloomington, majoring in criminal justice and winning academic honors as a Phi Beta Kappa.

"At an early age, my parents fortunately instilled in me the importance of an education," Martin said.

Following graduation, Martin worked in the victims assistance programs in Greene and Monroe counties before returning to Indiana University for law school.

"I knew that I wanted to do something in the legal profession, but I wasn't sure what at that time."

Martin then became an attorney, setting up a Worthington office, and five years later, became chairperson of the then-new criminal justice program at the Terre Haute Ivy Tech campus.

Five years later, she successfully ran for judge.

"It had always been a dream of mine," she said, but emphasized students should not expect to obtain their dream jobs immediately upon graduation.

She mentioned a friend who had worked his way through the ranks of the prison system, eventually becoming an administrator.

"You wouldn't expect to get that job the day you graduate with your associate's degree," she said. "You have to work your way up."

Martin also emphasized the importance of internships to students, noting work experience during school can show what's expected of them when they enter the workforce.

"If you do an internship, you may decide that the job isn't anything like you thought it was, and not something that you really want to do," she said. "It's better to learn at the beginning, when you're still taking classes, than when you are done with school."

Martin also informed students learning is a lifelong objective, not one which ends with graduation. Many professions, including the law, require continuing education to keep up on changes.

"In all honesty, your education is never over, and I like that," the judge said. "After all, is our society at a standstill? No. Things are always changing, and that's a good thing."