When court officials from across the state call regularly for advice, you must be doing something right.
That’s the case for Clerk of Court Judy Castaneda of the Whitfield County Magistrate Court.
“Judy is one of the most well versed clerks of any court in the state of Georgia,” says Chief Magistrate Judge Haynes Townsend, who successfully nominated Castaneda as Whitfield County Employee of the Month for May.
“She gets calls from other clerks and officers of other courts on a regular basis,” the judge said, “inquiring as to how we do things in our court.”
Castaneda has worked for Whitfield County for nine years and is a “continuous learner,” Townsend points out. “She has completed one of her college degrees while working full time for Whitfield County,” he said, “and also attends her Clerk of Court Recertification Classes on a regular basis.”
The magistrate judge said Castaneda does “an outstanding job” for the county, adding that “she is a hard worker, diligent, gets along well with her fellow employees and the general public, and is also very thorough.”
He says Castaneda is always willing to help the county with any fundraisers or extracurricular activities. She also has three children and works many sports activities with them and is also active at their schools on a weekly basis.
To help local residents get to know her a little better, Castaneda filled out the following fun questionnaire.
Name: Judy Castaneda
Job title: Clerk of Court
Time with the county: Nine years
Where I went to high school: Dalton High School
My role as a county employee: Civil/criminal cases and accounting clerical duties
What keeps my job interesting: The different scenarios that we come across in cases. Our office could write a book of excuses and entertaining short stories.
What gives me a sense of accomplishment on the job: When I am able to assist the public with all of their questions and concerns. When my co-workers are having a great day with a great sense of humor.
The most important thing I’ve done on the job: Try to look at the bright side of things.
Where I grew up: Dalton
Family: Husband Ruben, son Kevin, daughters Kate and Kaylee
After work, I enjoy: spending time with my family by watching movies and playing outside
Community activities: Volunteer for Girl Scouts and Women’s Crisis Center
Favorite TV show: Law & Order
Favorite sport/sport team: Baseball/Boston Red Sox
Favorite meal: Spaghetti
Favorite song: “Stand by Me”
Favorite Whitfield County restaurant: La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
Favorite Whitfield County event: Christmas Parade (my kids love it)
You can pick four people to have dinner with (anyone from any time in history) – who are your four people and why? God - I would like to hear the true words of religion from Him. Grandma MaCuca - Last time I had dinner with my grandmother was about 11 years ago, and I truly miss her. She lives in Mexico, and time keeps getting in the way for me to visit her. George Lopez - just because, he’s hilarious. George Washington - I would like to know his opinion about how our country now runs compared to his time.
I’m most proud of: My family! My husband is very supportive of my decisions. My twin daughters Kate and Kaylee are unique in their own way, and there’s never a dull moment when they are around. And my son Kevin who is growing up to be such an amazing, handsome and intelligent man. I couldn’t have asked for a better family!
Cats or dogs? Cats (my cat Franklin)
Cake or pie? Pie, cherry preferably
Favorite car? Chevrolet Tahoe (my mini bus for my Brady Bunch)
Host or be hosted? Host
Early riser or sleep-in: Sleep-in definitely
Favorite vacation ever: Last year in Florida. My family had an amazing time together. My daughters still remember my husband running outside in the rain dancing and laughing. Great memories!
Best teacher you ever had: Professor Jerry Drye for Communication at Dalton State College.
Pet peeve: When someone uses weird text abbreviations. “AFAIK” means “as far as I know” really!
If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Who has had the most impact on my life: My mom. She has taught me how to be a hard working woman/mother in life.
What’s left on my bucket list: Bungee jumping, but I think someone would probably have to push me.
If I could have been in any profession of my choosing, I would have been a: criminal investigator.
If I could have two wishes, they would be: Win the lottery and never get old.
You’d be surprised to learn that I: My real name is Yuriana. I kind of made up the name Judy since I was in grade school.
The best advice I ever got: Don’t panic, there’s always a solution to problems.
Anything else you’d like to say: I truly appreciate this nomination. It’s nice to know that someone out there appreciates my hard work. I believe we all need to thank our co-workers every now and then in what a great job they do. I think that if someone loves their job they will perform greatness and I definitely love my job. There’s good days and bad days, but the majority are good days.