Area high school students in Junior Leadership Columbiana County pose with the Junior Leadership Columbiana County Director Katy Mumaw, left, and seated from left, county Commissioners Tim Ginter, Roy Paparodis and Mike Halleck during a visit to the downtown courthouse Wednesday. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON — High school sophomores and juniors selected for Junior Leadership Columbiana County caught a glimpse of county government in action Wednesday during a visit to the downtown courthouse.

“We try to give the students a snapshot of what’s going on in county government so they will share it with others and stay in the county,” Junior Leadership Columbiana County Director Katy Mumaw said.

She said the utmost goal is for them to be civically engaged.

During the commissioners’ meeting, which the group attended, Mumaw said all 11 area schools were represented and there were 19 students present who were nominated by other students and the administration of their schools to take part in Junior Leadership Columbiana County.

According to a description of the program at leadershipcolumbianacounty.org, the Junior Leadership Columbiana County program was launched in 2017 and provides “classroom and hands-on experience to develop informed and responsible citizens who are future leaders of Columbiana County.”

“Specifically created for 10th and 11th graders who exhibit leadership qualities, Jr. LCC meets once every month for a unique session designed to promote teamwork and management skills, build self-confidence, foster personal growth, and encourage civic engagement. Additionally, during each session, students explore Columbiana County by touring various organizations, businesses, or government buildings that reinforce aspects of the session topics,” the website said.

County Commissioner Mike Halleck said commissioners don’t have a lot of people show up to their meetings, so he thanked them for being interested in county government. As president of the board, Halleck runs the meetings and as he worked through the agenda, he tried to explain different aspects of the meeting to the students. As for the length of the meeting, he said they can be long or short, but most times are short, saying the commissioners “believe in efficiency.”

Besides learning what commissioners do, with Halleck describing them as the three CEOs running county government business, the students heard about the background of each commissioner. Halleck grew up watching government by watching his father in Kentucky, and worked in business. He first ran for office and served as a Perry Township Trustee. He’s been a county commissioner for a long time.

Commissioner Roy Paparodis, who’s in the restaurant business, became involved in government when he ran for Salem City Council and served as a councilman before running for county commissioner. Commissioner Tim Ginter, a longtime pastor, served eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives and was term-limited out, then ran for county commissioner. He explained that there are some limitations to what commissioners can do, explaining the commissioners are an extension of the state into the county.

Paparodis said it’s rewarding to get a phone call from someone who needs help. Most of the time, the commissioners can’t help, but he can still talk to them and maybe direct them to someone who can help. He said the little things are just as meaningful as the big things.

“Get involved in your community. Register to vote,” Halleck told the students.

The students also visited other offices in the courthouse to learn about the operations.