In The News

Originally Published in WJBF
By: Ryan Lynch

EVANS, Ga (WJBF) – Georgia high schoolers were in Columbia County for Representative Rick Allen’s Youth Leadership Summit. 11th and 12th graders from Allen’s district heard from several leaders in the community.

Local business owners, military leaders and several others spoke to the students. Each had their own message to give.

All of the students in attendance were selected to go.

“They’re not forced to be here by the way. They are picked, handpicked by their teachers to be here. These folks want to go somewhere and they believe in what we’re trying to do,” said Representative Allen.

The speakers said the event is a good opportunity for students to learn about different things they could be. They said they want their message to be relevant for whatever the students decide.

“Learn how to be a follower to be a leader,” said Major General Ryan Janovic, Commanding General of the Cyber Center for Excellence and Fort Gordon. “To be a good follower you have to understand who you are, what’s important to you and how you draw energy.”

The messages were impactful to the students. Amarah Hariston from Grovetown High School said she liked what the general said.

“When the general was speaking, he said some really great things really. And it kind of, it made me think a lot. It made me ponder over what he said. How he led over 600 people within the battalion and that was very impressive to me. And I try to be like the general.”