Debra (Gronewaller) Wright was sworn in as the new Mitchell County District Magistrate Judge on Monday morning in the Mitchell County Courtroom. A 13-member panel selected her from the five applicants who applied for the position.
The Honorable Kim Cudney, Chief Judge of the 12th Judicial District, welcomed those in attendance which included Judge Wright's family and four fellow Magistrate Judges from the 12th Judicial District. She said this is the first time in the past 31 years this ceremony has been necessary in this district. Judge Wright, her husband Scott Wright and their two children, Olivia and Devin were introduced. During the swearing in ceremony the new Judge was invested with the robes of her office by her husband Scott while her two children looked on.
Judge Cudney gave an informational background overview of Judge Wright's qualifications. Debra (Gronewaller) Wright was born and raised in Beloit and graduated from Beloit High School in 1995. She has quite a number of relatives living in the Beloit area. She attended Cloud County College before graduating with a BA from the University of Missouri School of Law in Colombia, MO. She and her husband opened a law practice together with Debra's expertise being in family law.
In applying for the judge's position Wright said she took the opportunity to move her family back to where she grew up. She said her calling and goal has always been public service. Since it is for a Magistrate Judge to take up residence in Mitchell County at the time she takes office Wright will be living with her parents or her grandmother while her husband waits to sell their home in Kansas City.
Since he is also an attorney Scott Wright said he plans to look for a position outside the 12th Judicial District where he can practice law without creating a conflict of interest situation. Olivia will be attending kindergarten at Beloit Elementary School and Devin will be attending a daycare.
Wright said she is honored to have been selected to fill this position. She thanked her husband, her family, and others who have encouraged her throughout her lifetime. She said the lessons her parents taught her helped her to have strong work ethics and that is what brought her to where she is today. The new Judge promised to work hard for the community and the people of this district. In closing Judge Wright thanked all those who attended the ceremony. Refreshments were served following the service.