This week’s NewsDepth A+ winner is 14-year-old Bree Obhof, a St. Francis Xavier student in Medina.
She combined her love for paleontology with a can-do attitude to do something really inspirational.
Bree helped get Ohio Senate Bill 123 passed, which named the Dunkleosteus terrelli, or the Dunk, the state fossil fish!
The Dunk was a huge, prehistoric fish that lived during a time when Ohio was covered in water.
The Dunk was as long as a school bus, weighed a ton and was the fiercest predator in the water. Some of the best and most complete fossils of the Dunk in Ohio were discovered when highway crews were digging into the ground, back in the 1960’s.
Because Bree has such an interest in paleontology, she loves going to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to see all the exhibits there. And the one fossil Bree always loved was the Dunkleosteus terrelli.
One day Bree was talking to Fran Buchholzer, a museum board member about paleontology...and Fran and Bree had an idea. ”Let’s get the Dunk named the Ohio state fish fossil!”
But how do you get a bill passed? As Bree was about to learn, it can take many steps and a lot of time. Fortunately, Bree's dad, Larry Obhof, was the state senate president at the time, so he was able to help guide her through the political process. Ohio Senate Bill 123 was introduced two years ago, sponsored by senators Matt Dolan and Nathan Manning.
Bree had to testify before a senate committee to explain more about the Dunk and why this prehistoric fish is so important to Ohio. not an easy thing for a 12-year- old, or anyone for that matter, to do….giving a speech in front of a number of state senators?!
Her mom Nicole said once Bree testified before the senate committee, “she hit it out of the ballpark!”
Bree said testifying was “exhilarating” and the whole process was really exciting because she was “creating something for Ohio.”
Senate Bill 123 was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine this past December.
No surprise, Bree wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up, but she also wants to write books and graphic novels...and who knows, maybe she’ll run for office one day like her dad!
Congratulations Bree for all that you’ve accomplished and for following your passions! And we’re proud to award you this week’s NewsDepth A+.
Submit your ideas for our NewsDepth A+ segment to newsdepth@ideastream.org for consideration.
