Mock Trial
A seventh-grade trial experience helped Bradshaw fall in love with the law.
Maddie Bradshaw (WC ’24) doesn’t remember if she won or lost her first court case. However, the experience of being in a mock trial in middle school changed her career path.
“I went back and forth on a few different occupations growing up, but after that mock trial, everything changed,” said Bradshaw, who plans to study journalism and pre-law at The Ohio State University next fall. “Honestly, I don’t even remember what the case was about. I remember the fact that I loved it.
“I realized I was passionate about the law. I could see myself doing this. I’ve always wanted to help people, and being a lawyer is a good way.”
Bradshaw traces the driving force of her philanthropy back to her mother, Wendy, who was hired as the director of community engagement for the Safelite AutoGlass Repair Foundation in 2021. The foundation promotes the health and welfare of the community where company employees work.
Additionally, Wendy Bradshaw serves on the Ronald McDonald House Central Ohio boards, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Ambassador Council, Celebrate One Development Committee, and Otterbein University Alumni Council.
“She helps decide what organizations and causes Safelite is going to give money to,” Maddie Bradshaw said. “Everything she does, she does for other people. That’s just cool. She’s such a role model for me, and I look up to her a lot.”
Bradshaw might be following a similar humanitarian path as her mother. Last October, the Worthington Christian senior shared the Girl Talk, Inc.’s National Leader of the Year honor with Hannah Joseph and received a $2,500 scholarship.
Girl Talk is a girl empowerment and mentorship program with over 375 chapters in 48 states as well as the Virgin Islands and Zambia. The organization aims to “inspire middle and high school girls to be confident leaders through peer-to-peer mentoring.”
Bradshaw, who addressed the Girl Talk’s LeadHER conference on Oct. 5 in Atlanta, credits the organization with giving her confidence. Bradshaw serves as a Head of Household for the House of Lux at Worthington Christian with Rachel Hooley and Jon Miles.
“The house system has been a huge opportunity for me to grow closer with people,” Bradshaw said.
Principal Tim Kraynak summed up Bradshaw’s influence at Worthington Christian in one word: “leader.”
“There’s a saying in sports: on bad teams, no one leads. On average teams, coaches lead. On great teams, players lead,” Kraynak said. “Any time there is something of substance or value from a student’s perspective, Maddie is right in the middle of it.
“She has such a gift from the Lord to lead other people. She has a great spirit about her; she’s compassionate and caring. She’s top-notch.”
Bradshaw said it took her a while to find her spark. She attended Westerville schools before transferring to Worthington Christian in seventh grade.
“(Moving into a new school) wasn’t necessarily the easiest experience,” she said. “But I’m so thankful for it. My faith has grown so much by being part of WC.”
Bradshaw credits Worthington Christian middle school teacher Michael Clutz for helping her transition.
“He’s so funny and so kind,” she said. “It was hard to come into middle school when everybody already had friend groups. But Mr. Clutz made me feel so welcome.
“(His class) was my first experience ever having a Bible class, and he made it enjoyable. I have all the respect in the world for him, and I still enjoy talking with him whenever I see him.”