Where Are They Now?
In the 12 years since Jocelyn Zuniga Perez graduated from Dublin High School, she’s gone to cosmetology school, worked as a hairstylist, served as a correctional officer at the Erath County Jail, and built herself a career as a public servant in the office of the Justice of the Peace. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. “Everything happened for a reason, that’s for sure.”
Perez graduated from Dublin High School in 2010, and wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to do. “I wanted to go straight into college, because if I didn’t I was afraid I wouldn’t go back,” she said. “And I love makeup, I love hair.”
Once she earned her license she started working at Shear Heaven in Dublin. “I loved the people and making them feel good,” she said. “And I loved my mentor Lindsay Moore. She was the best and she taught me so much.”
After a little over a year at Shear Heaven, though, Perez began to feel like she had other priorities for her career. “I felt like I needed to do something else,” She said. “I’d always thought about being a police officer, and I just thought, ‘If I don’t do it now I’m never going to do it.’” So Perez went back to school at Ranger College to earn her associates degree. Once she graduated in 2013, she found a job with Erath County as a correctional officer in the jail. She soon found that the job was not quite right for her. “The jail was a very controlled environment, but it was still crazy, and I thought to myself, ‘Imagine when I’m out on the streets and I have no control of what people are going to do and how they are going to react,’” she said. “I had a very pivotal moment where I was like, ‘I cannot be a police officer.’” Still, working for the county opened doors for Perez. “I met Judge [Shawnee] Bass, who is the Justice of the Peace, and when I saw her I was like, ‘This is what I want to be,’” Perez said.
In 2014, Perez left the jail and began working in the sheriff’s office for Tommy Bryant.
“I was his secretary so I mainly did paperwork and opened mail,” she said. “I really got to focus on clerical skills, like how to take messages correctly and run all the errands that they needed me to run. It helped set a foundation for how to deal with the public — and I found out I enjoy dealing with the public.”
Then, in 2016, a position came open at the office of the Justice of the Peace (JP). “I moved over to the JP office as a court clerk and that’s where I got to see how it really is for a justice of the peace here in Texas, and it just made me want it even more,” Perez said.
In 2021, Judge Bass announced she would not seek reelection, and Perez ran for Justice of the Peace. “I will never forget that time of my life,” she said. “I made the official announcement and launched my campaign page, and just started knocking on doors and going to every event. My little hashtag was #JPforJP.”
Although she did not end up winning the election, Perez was happy to have tried. “I was really proud of the race, and just thankful for the experience,” she said. “I still haven’t decided if my political career is over. I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback and I appreciate it a lot and it’s still in the back of my head. For now I’m going to sit tight and perfect this job and the duties I have here, and that’s all I can really ask for.”
Recently, Perez was promoted from court clerk to court administrator for commissioners court. Her duties include making sure the commissioners have access to the documents they need, sending out memos, and keeping contracts up to date. “I’ve really enjoyed having more responsibility,” Perez said. “It’s definitely a step up. I am very thankful for this position and I am truly humbled and thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had.”
Jocelyn lives in Stephenville with her husband Javier and their 9-year-old son Xavier. The family recently finished building their house, and they moved in last February. “That was such an accomplishment for us,” she said.
When she’s not working, Perez enjoys relaxing with her family. “We like to eat out and watch movies and just spend time with each other,” she said. Her mother Maribel Avilez and siblings Karem Joslin and Arturo Zuniga still live in the area as well.
Throughout her life, Perez has drawn inspiration from her mother. She’s always expected a lot from [me and my siblings] and I’ve always wanted to make her proud,” Perez said.
As she’s gotten older, her husband has been a source of inspiration as well. “He’s my number one fan and the one that pushes me to do things,” she said. “He always says, ‘If you want it, go get it.’” Perez’ advice to Dubin graduates is based on her own experience. “First of all, I would tell them that it’s okay not to leave,” she said. “It’s okay not to go to school right after high school. Your accomplishments come at your own pace. Focus on yourself and don’t worry about what others are doing.”
Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen. com.