The Right Path
/From commercial model to model citizen, Joe Pennington became Arkansas’ youngest elected official at age 21
By Phoebe Warren
Photo by shane darby.
Most people have a bad habit of comparing their lives to others, ranking their accolades and aspirations against others’. Following your proverbial “path” can be downright stressful, full of imagined expectations just waiting to trip you up. The wisest among us drown out those supposed expectations and do whatever they think is best for themselves. At age 25, Ashdown local Joe Pennington is doing just that.
After graduating high school in 2017, Joe planned to attend the Sam W. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. It was also during this time that he was presented with the opportunity to model professionally.
“Being able to be a part of the shaping of our city, its services we provide to our citizens, and having an impact on future generations—including my son’s—is quite rewarding.”
“After I got my senior pictures back, friends and family told my mom that she should submit my pictures to some modeling agencies,” Joe recalled. “She did. Within 48 hours, I was contacted by two different modeling agencies with contracts.”
Joe decided to forgo attending college and pursue a modeling career. He modeled for Dillards, North Face, TIGI hair products, David Yurman, Hart Schaffner Marx, Murphy Oil, Arkansas Bride Magazine, Little Rock Soirée, and Signet Jewelers. He also appeared in commercials for Sports Clips and Saracen Casino.
photo by shane darby.
As of the summer of 2020, Joe had no plans to leave the modeling profession. However, in the fall of that year, he had a change of heart and decided to pursue another goal: getting elected as a civil servant on the Ashdown City Council.
“My father, being a former city council member, advised that the city could benefit from my youth and unique perspective on the issues facing our city today,” Joe explained. “So I decided to run in the fall of 2020 and won the seat.” With his win, he became the youngest elected city official in the state of Arkansas at just 21 years old. He is now 25, serving his second term.
Joe with Judge Tom Cooper. submitted photo.
“Being able to be a part of the shaping of our city, its services we provide to our citizens, and having an impact on future generations—including my son’s—is quite rewarding,” he said. “Learning about and navigating state regulations, municipal budgets, and citizen concerns has been a unique experience in itself.” Since his election, Joe has seen many successful maintenance and service projects completed, including a splash pad and other playground equipment installed at the city park.
Joe with his son, Witten. Submitted photo.
Joe’s top priority when making life decisions is the welfare of his, four-year-old son, Witten. “I’ve had the opportunity to go to L.A. for a month of shooting, and I was invited to be a cast member on a show called Love Island,” he said. “Because of work and parenting responsibilities, I wasn’t able to do either of them, but I have no regrets. I was where I was supposed to be, doing the things I needed and wanted to be doing.”
Joe, who also works as a branch supervisor for Texana Bank, just graduated from Leadership Texarkana. While, only a short few years ago, he had his sights set on growing his modeling career, Joe now believes that the right path for him will keep him local—primarily for the benefit of his son. “I want Witten to be healthy, happy, and [able to] pursue his dreams,” Joe said. “I want him to have the best life.”