Among a crowd of 550 at Waypoint 4180 this evening, Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick was named the recipient of the 2021 ATHENA Award, presented by the Regional Chamber and The Vindicator/Vindy.com. 

The ATHENA Award is given annually to recognize area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen career, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women. 

Judge Dellick oversees the administration of the court, as well as the detention center, intake services, probation clerk of courts, counseling center and community services. When she arrived in 2001, she found a system that was outdated and punitive. Since then, she has sought to change the entire philosophy of the court, hire passionate and dedicated staff, include each youth and their family in decisions, bring in dollars through grants for programming and more. The results have been astounding, and the court has since gained a national and state reputation for being a leader in juvenile justice. (See more about Judge Dellick on page 2.) 

Window World Chairman & CEO Tammy Whitworth keynoted the 28th annual ATHENA Award event, and 28 nominees were honored. In addition, the 13th ATHENA Scholarship—a $1,500, one-time award created in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley—was presented to Taylor Sebastiano, who is majoring in Biology at Youngstown State University and will be a sophomore this fall. 

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield also presented for the eighth year two additional scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each to Leetonia High School senior Haleigh Brock and Springfield Local High School senior Sarah DeLucia. Both will continue their education at YSU, as well. 

The Athena Award Dinner was sponsored by Huntington Bank and Window World, with additional support from Anthem, Packer Thomas, The Muransky Companies, Komara Jewelers, Kropp Photography, Professional Engine Systems, Steward Health Care, VEC, CTW Development, Lee & Bonnie Burdman, Fifth Third Bank, La La Love Healthcare, Personal Protected, TCF Bank, Braydich Dental, Suburban Insurance Agency and The Basement Outreach Ministries. 

For more information on the ATHENA Award Dinner, call (330) 744-2131, ext. 1235. 

The Honorable Theresa Dellick serves as judge of the Mahoning County Juvenile Court, overseeing the administration of the court, as well as the detention center, intake services, probation clerk of courts, counseling center and community services.   

When she arrived in 2001, she found a system that was outdated and punitive. More than 100 students were locked up in the 40-bed detention facility. There was no pro-social programming. Most of their days were spent locked inside their cells. Sanctions consisted of locking up a youth for any offense with no rehabilitative measures. And, there was no staff accountability or leadership to create programming.   

Judge Dellick sought to change the entire philosophy of the court, hire passionate and dedicated staff, include each youth and their family in decisions, bring in dollars through grants for programming and more. The results have been astounding, and the court has since gained a national and state reputation for being a leader in juvenile justice.   

Among her many accomplishments was Judge Dellick’s establishment of the Mahoning County High School in 2008, a school designed for at-risk, trauma-affected students, to keep them in school and out of court. The high school began with one student, and today hundreds are enrolled and have graduated. For these efforts, she received recognition from the Obama Administration in 2016. 

In 2019, Judge Dellick assembled a community-based task force to create a boarding school paired with the school for at-risk youth to assist them in obtaining and completing their education. 

Due to her leadership and relentless efforts, the court has been involved in early intervention and diversion programs, recidivism reduction, increasing family self-reliance and ensuring the safety of those youth being served. In 2001, over 2000 delinquency cases were filed by the prosecutor’s office. In 2019, the number decreased to 272.   

Judge Dellick is as passionate about her service outside of the court as inside. She is past president of the Junior League of the Mahoning and a member of the Mahoning County Extension Ambassador Council; Akron Children’s Hospital Community Health Assessment Committee; Financial Council of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown; and the Visitors Board of the YSU College of Arts and Sciences.  

The Canfield resident earned a BSBA from Youngstown State University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law. She worked at a private practice in Youngstown before moving to the public sector in 1999, serving as a county court judge.