Honoring young indiviudals for exemplary academic achievement and service to community
Under 20
Nationally and Abroad
Rural Leader Magazine is excited to introduce our Under 20 Initiative to recognize outstanding youth in small rural communities nationally and abroad. In this edition, we've identified several who have demonstrated exemplary academic excellence and service to community. We need your help to identify other deserving youth for future editions. Visit RuralLeaderMagazine.com to nominate.
Quinterrius Travone Banks Quinterrius is 18 year old senior at Quitman County High School in Georgetown, Georgia. After high school, he wants to major in Veterinary Medicine. Quinterrius has several colleges of interest that include the University of Georgia, Tuskegee University, and Auburn University, and Alabama A&M. When asked about his opinion on leadership and the ability to succeed, Quinterrius responded, "Webster defines “Leadership” as the power and ability to lead people. While that is true, some 26 RuralLeaderMagazine.com
think of a person’s status and demographics when talking about a leader. I have grown up in the Georgetown, GA and Eufaula, Al areas all of my life. Many people are under the assumption that if you come from a small town you are not able to compete with peers from larger cities. A lot of people will also use where they come from as a crutch not to succeed. However, being a leader I can help motivate others to achieve what many view as impossible. Being a leader means standing up for right even when you are standing alone. Leadership is not defined as how much money someone makes or what type of job he/she has. A person that exemplifies integrity, confidence, respect, humility, and self-awareness to name a few in my opinion makes great leaders. In my future endeavors I will strive to be the great leader that I know is within me. After all, I can achieve and succeed at anything that I put my mind to." —
Sara Belflower
Sarah Belflower is ready for the world. The daughter of Evon and Charlie Belflower of Georgetown, GA, the 18 year old senior has kept busy racking up an impressive resume prior to entering college at Brenau University. She loves writing and working as the youth group leader at her church as well as serving as the senior class president and salutatorian for Quitman County High School. She is also a member of the United States Achievement Academy. The US Achievement Academy produces a yearbook each year of students who excel in certain areas. Students are nominated by teachers and those who are accepted get their name, picture, school, subject, and activities in the yearbook. They also grant a scholarship to one of the students in each edition. Her future plans of studying psychology at Brenau stems for her desire to become a family counselor. “Leadership in a rural area means doing whatever needs to be done to improve upon the lives of the people there,” Sarah added. “It means being dedicated to making sure your small town reaches big goals.” Sarah cites Jeff and Candis Cochran, her youth pastors, as her mentors/heroes. She chose them because they inspire her to reach for her dreams and have always been there for her as she now wants to do for others. “Knowing that nothing affects
