Brian Perry graduated from Hilliard Darby High School in 2011. But since 2020, he’s seen the district through a different lens: from a seat at the Board of Education table.
After graduating high school with honors and a lengthy list of other accolades, from All Ohio scholar athlete to class president and Panther Ambassador to choir section leader and holding numerous roles in the theater program, Brian attended Capital University where he earned a bachelor’s in political science. During his freshman year — at the ripe age of 18 — he ran for the Hilliard City Schools Board of Education for the first time. Despite receiving a no vote, he returned to the ballot at 22. Again, the votes didn’t fall in his favor, but he was determined to share his perspective and give back to the community that had given him so much.
“I have a more recent perspective having just graduated in 2011, and my dad was a teacher, so I’ve been around education most of my life,” he said.
He studied abroad in Scotland in 2014, then enrolled in law school in 2015, also at Capital University, and his third time running was the charm. He was elected in November of 2019 and officially sworn in in January of 2020.
Today, he works as a labor and employment attorney for a Hilliard law firm, and is grateful for not only how much he has learned in his time on the board but also what he’s been able to contribute.
Brian credits his success to his educational journey and the opportunities he had while a student at Hilliard. He said he was taught by several great teachers, who were in turn supported by phenomenal administrators.
“They taught me self-reliance, how to think critically, and how to apply state standards to real life. I also learned soft skills that have served me well in my career as there are often grey areas in the law,” he said.
Some of the teachers and coaches that stand out the most for Brian include Coach Fethers, who taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, Richard Chute, who has served as a mentor for the past several years, Amy Messick, who sparked his love for government and the legal system, and Kristi Stewart, his English teacher who also inspired his love of theater.
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