The torch is passed to a younger generation

The future of Oconee County is in the hands of its younger population.  Twenty notable Oconeeans were recognized today by the chamber of commerce for their achievements.  All of them, each under 40 years old, have already distinguished themselves and hold promise to lead in the future.  Words of encouragement were delivered by Vanessa Penton, executive director of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, and Westminster product Gresham Barrett who, for the last year, has associated himself with an international program that feeds the hungriest of the world’s population.  These days Barrett, who enjoyed a long state and national political career, is based in Washington as part of a United Nations food program.  Barrett congratulated Oconee’s Top 20 Under 40 and spoke of the various meanings of leadership.  The 20 young Oconeeans honored during a luncheon at Walhalla’s Durham Hall were Corey Black, Jeremy Brooks, Kyle Brown, Paul Cain, James Dougherty, James Freeman, Nicholas Gambrell, Leslie Hagerty, Mikayla Kreuzberger, Nicklaus McKinney, Sarai Melendez, Alison Meredith, Jennifer Moss, Cliff Powell, Josh Roberts, Julia Sayres, Ann Sullivan, Tyler Swain, Rush Thrift, and Jacob Turner.