Hello!
I'm Jessica Parent, and I am running for Big Walnut Board of Education in November 2025. After living in the greater Columbus area for 10 years, I moved to Genoa Township in the summer of 2020 and enrolled my son, into virtual kindergarten that fall. I immediately fell in love with the district. Even amidst the turmoil of the Covid-19 pandemic, Big Walnut made me feel like my child was valued and that his education was a priority. I want every parent who sends their child(ren) to Big Walnut to feel the same.
Before moving to Ohio, I began life as an Air Force brat. At 11 years old, my dad retired from the military and I became a preacher's kid. I attended Hillsdale College and graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy, after which I moved to Westerville. The first time I drove through Galena, I knew I wanted to live in the area. 10 years later, I my dream became reality when we moved to a beautiful neighborhood with access to the bike path, Char-Mar, and a house that came complete with chickens!
I live a blessed life with my wonderful partner, Jerrad, our son, Sean, my mother-in-law, Maxine, two 90lb furnados named Kipo and Wolf, and 24 chickens. I work as a software engineer, and in my free time I enjoy cooking, hitting a heavy bag and attending BWLS Board of Education meetings.
I believe that every child deserves a bright future and that Big Walnut deserves a Board of Education that will work to support our students in their pursuing their dreams, whatever that path may look like. Whether they plan on attending college, completing a technical track at the Delaware Area Career Center and joining the workforce straight out of high school, or dream of being a stay at home parent, a Big Walnut education should set them up for success. I believe that the right people on the BW Board of Education can help ensure that this remains a reality.