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Under 20 Honoring young indiviudals for exemplary academic achievement and service to community

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

26 RuralLeaderMagazine.com 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 Sara Belflower 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." — 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

the welfare and values of a generation more than their leaders has influenced me the most to a be a leader,” she states.—

Kylon Tyree Harris

Sixteen year old, Kylon Tyree Harris is a student at Americus-Sumter County High School South Campus in Americus, Georgia. Kylon’s parents are Michael and Tyeesiah Harris, and he is an exceptional student and youth leader. Harris is an exemplary AP Honors junior with a 3.7 G.P.A.. “I am eager to apply professional experiences and both scholastic and leadership abilities,” Harris said.

Serving in several notable leadership capacities trained Harris for his future career. He one days hopes to pursue a law career. The leadership roles Harris has experienced is broad and diverse. In the short span of his high school career, Harris has served as president of DECA president, the Junior class president, Superintendent of Student Cabinet, and Friends of Rachel's Challenge. He also served as Newspaper editor for AHSN, 4-H Public Relations Chair, among several others local nonprofit organizations.

Harris was also been recognized for his outstanding accomplishments as Rotary Student of the month, the United Stated Achievement Academy Educational Excellence, Governor's Honor Program, Coca-Cola Pre-College Leadership Program, Prudential Spirit of Community Award, the President's Volunteer Service Award, Chamber of Commerce Leadership National Society of High School Scholars. He also penned a book in 2008 entitled When a child prays, Miracles of the tornado.

Harris also has a strong work ethic. In 2013, Harris worked as a promotions clerk/front end cashier at Winn Dixie in Americus. Previously, Harris also worked as a bookkeeper for R.E. Harris Trucking Company in Americus. He currently serves as an Instructor at Camp Osborne-Akela Cub Camp. “As an instructor at Camp Osborne-Akela Cub Camp, I provide instruction to assigned camper. My primary responsibilities are to maintain high standards of health and safety for all campers and to update administration and parents on issues regarding camp participants,” he said.

In 2012, Harris also was a voiceover artist for I-Care Products and Services in Americus.

“My primary role was to provide narration for curriculum video, read scripts and ad-libs. I assisted with writing and editing scripts, and I also designed and provided voice presentations,” Harris said.

Despite an already hectic schedule, Harris finds time to give back to community and to nonprofits. He participated in the restoration of Plain High School baseball field, served as Dougherty County Library Assistant. He was also a mentor at the Dwight Harris Boy's Club. He also participated as a host for both Crisp and Sumter County Distinguished Citizens Award Dinners. In addition, Harris has supported and participated in the It Can Wait-No Texting and

Charleston Mumphery

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 27 Charleston Mumphery is an 18 year old senior at Crisp County High School in Cordele, GA. He will graduate Spring 2014. After high school, he will be attending Auburn University in the fall and plans to major in Marketing.

When asked what inspired him to pursue business and marketing education, he said, "I always have flashbacks to my childhood when my entire elementary school would participate in fundraising. After being awarded for finishing amongst the top sellers for multiple years, I realized I had a niche for selling to others. Whether it was idea, an item, or myself over the years I have attempted to continue to evolve not only as a seller but a well-rounded person. I have realized that through: research, creativity, and will power, any challenge that is presented through marketing can be obtained. However, the best part about it all is the journey during the process. For these reasons, I have chosen to pursue a career in marketing. Outside of marketing, I can often be found with friends, or engaging in some sort of sporting activity whether I am involved or just watching." (Continued on page 44)

"I feel as though all of my past experiences have helped to shape me into the leader I am today."

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 29 N ever forget where you came from was something the late Corinelius Crumbs, mother of Dr. Marvin Crumbs Sr., told her two children often. Good advice is never wasted and it is clear that Dr. Crumbs has instilled that virtue in his daughter Tre' Cherie Crumbs.

Currently a sophomore at the University of Georgia, Miss Crumbs, 19, has an impressive resume of giving back to her community and even the community that shaped the generations before her. She shared her thoughts on being proud of who you are when she visited a group of young women at Andrew College during a summer break prior to college. Andrew College is a small, residential, two-year college related to the United Methodist Church. The historic college is located in Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia, which is Tre’ Cherie’s family’s hometown.

“I talked with the young girls about the importance self-esteem and being aware of their worth,” Miss Crumbs said. “I also talked to them about how I utilize my introverted personality to succeed in a world of extroverts.”

“I feel as though all of my past experiences have helped to shape me into the leader I am today,” she continued. “My junior year of high school I received a scholarship to attend a Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp. At this four day camp, I finally began to understand that although I am a quiet person, leaders can arise from all personality types and backgrounds. I began volunteering in the 7th grade and have continued to give back since then. Designing my own ways to give back to the community especially in the areas that others often overlook has been the best leadership training I could ever receive. I especially enjoy working with young girls in the community. That is the reason this past summer I began my etiquette program which I will continue teaching here in Athens.” She adds that her family has played a big role in teaching her the importance of helping others. Sharing that she was always taught to value what she had and to love others without limits, she recalls how her mother's volunteering with youth cheerleader programs that she also participated in as a child helped shaped her early outlook on giving of herself.

“I also dedicated most of my middle school years and all four years of my high school career to this amazing non-profit organization,” Tre' said. “The enormous amount of love that I have seen all of my family members display for everyone and everything translated into me joining the Guide Dog Foundation where my sole purpose is to love and care for assistance dogs in training so that they can go on to love and care for someone who needs them.”

The biggest factor for Tre' Cherie's strong sense of self-worth and self-esteem is her family.

“Just knowing and understanding all of the struggles faced by my family members as well as my ancestors to get me to the point where I am today, I know that I am too loved to not to love myself,” she said. “I also know that if I do not love myself I am already at a disadvantage, often times the only thing holding anyone back is themselves. When I began learning my self-worth, I realized there was nothing that I could not accomplish.”

Asked who she sees as her own personal hero/mentor, Tre' has several to choose from. “This is a hard question,” she begins. “Throughout my whole life my family members have served as amazing mentors in all facets of life. My hero would definitely be Michelle Obama. I feel that she is often overlooked but she has many accolades that I aspire to accomplish as well. She is a dedicated mother of two, an amazing wife, a fashion icon, role model for women, and ad advocate for poverty awareness, nutrition and healthy eating. I only hope to be half as influential as she is.”

Miss Crumbs is a Psychology Major with a Pre-Med Advisory Track at UGA with a GPA of 3.58. She keeps herself busy as the Programming Chair for the ECV Community Board, a council of 12 members who specializes in organizing programs for the residents of East Campus Village at UGA. “We have over 1,200 in our community and our goal is to increase community moral. As one of the two Programming Chairs, I am responsible for planning and implementing programs based on the requests of our residents,” she added. “We host educational as well as social programs throughout the year. My favorite programs to plan were our Breast Cancer Awareness Program as well as our Finals Study Break Program (where we provided residents free Chic-Fil-A chicken biscuits, coffee, and t-shirts at midnight during finals.)”

She also serves as a Hero Event Committee Member of the UGA Heroes, a non-profit organization at UGA which helps raise awareness about HIV/AIDS affecting youth in the area. We fund-raise throughout the year and host special events for children in the area affected by HIV/AIDS

Tre' Cherie is also a member Student Gives Back to Family’s Hometown

of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a dancer for the Pamoja Dance Company in Athens.

In her spare time, she founded Effortless Etiquette, an etiquette program relevant to young girls in the community of Columbus, GA and trains a Guide dog for the Foundation for the Blind.

Future plans include medical school and starting her own practice as well as marriage and “...establishing a foundation for my future children,” in regards to helping others.

“Giving back is not about recognition or repayment. It is about sharing an experience for someone that will leave a positive mark on their lives forever,” she reminds us. “ You are never too young, too busy or too anything to give back to someone else. My goal in life has always been to do something bigger than myself. Through volunteering, you leave a legacy of selflessness that is not soon forgotten.”— 3) Encourage open communication: Many leaders focus on being an authoritative figure so brutally that employees refrain from being open in discussions and meetings. Making your employees uncomfortable to approach you is not a sign of a good leader. Solution: Instigate the culture of open communication and promote open discussions and meeting where superiors and subordinates can freely voice their opinion.

Avoid bringing in negative fear, as that would divert your employees towards an arrogant bend. With an open mind, listen to your team and let them know that they are being heard. The importance bestowed upon leadership today is so significant. Hence, you can sign up for corporate leadership training activities or a professional leadership development program that could assist you in developing the most desired skills!— 3 Common Obstacles of Leadership, continued from page 8 Best Small Town Restaurant We’ve all been to that special place where the food and service were impeccable. We are pleased to announce the newest honor, Rural Leader Magazine’s Best Small Town Restaurant. Each edition, we will showcase a local restaurant nominated by our readers. Michelle’s Restaurant of Georgetown, Georgia is the first to receive this prestigious honor.

Wayne and Sue Perryman are the proud owners of the fine establishment best known for southern cooking at its best! Michelle’s has a variety of southern cuisine to suite every palette. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are available. Lunch buffets are available daily and include an assortment of meats, vegetables, bread, salad bar, desert bar, and a beverage for an affordable price. Friday and Saturday nights include an all you can eat seafood buffet!

So whether you have a taste for smoked ribs, fried pork chops, meatloaf, or country fried steak, Michelle’s Restaurant of Georgetown is the place to be! Michelle’s is located on Highway 82 in Georgetown, Georgia.

For more information, call 229-334-5912.— Michelle’s Hours of Operation Weekdays: 5:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Friday/Saturday: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 5:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Readers’ Forum P l H A

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