I am very much a dog person and have always associated dogs with loyalty and protection. The dog standing over Ohio reflects my advocacy for Ohio?s multi-system youth. It also carries a deeper, more personal meaning connected to my faith and my identity as a Dominican Associate.

According to Catholic tradition, a pregnant Jane of Aza in Spain once had an unusual dream in which she saw a dog carrying a torch in its mouth and setting the world on fire. With spiritual guidance, she came to understand that her child, Dominic, would grow up to become a preacher who would set the world ablaze through his preaching. Even the Dominican Order's name reflects this symbolism, drawing on a play on the Latin words Domini (Lord) and canes (hounds).

Dominicans understand the power of words and the responsibility to speak truth, especially to those in positions of power. This conviction has deeply shaped my faith and is something I strive to live out through my advocacy work in Ohio.