Macon Magazine

August/September 2026 | maconmagazine.com 71 T here's no right time to start leading. Though our Five Under 40 Young Leader program has celebrated Maconites for decades, they represent a specific slice of life (usually ages 24-39) and we've been called upon to highlight all generations as they succeed. In the following pages, you'll find leaders nominated for their commitment to our community. Know them, cheer them on, and let us know who we should put on our pages in 2027. Under 18 L O N DY N R O D G E R S H O W A R D H I G H S C H O O L The one thing that I have learned over the years is that the thing that sets you apart is your story. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder when I was around 10 years old, and everything that I do now goes back [to] where I was back when I was 10 and that little girl who could not verbally form words, speaking to other people and connecting with other people. Through my community service initiative, the Social Bridge, I've been able to help students across Georgia learn social skills and get more acquainted with those communication skills. Being yourself, staying true to yourself and who you are, is going to keep you grounded throughout life. Fully understanding what it means to trust your intuition, continue to trust who you are, and not let anybody change you. Not giving in to peer pressure is one of the greatest things that I would definitely tell somebody who is younger than me. When I went and visited some middle schools this year, I told the students to join a club. The first thing that I was introduced to when I got to middle school—and that was peak COVID time—was FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). And I give my public speaking skills not only to pageantry, but also FBLA. Finding a sense of community and people who share [similar] interests with you is something that will keep you grounded and help you connect to yourself more. Stay multifaceted. I can't do everything, but dipping your feet in different areas of life is a good way to be able to connect with people. I plan on going to the Air National Guard once I leave high school and signing my contract this year when I turn 17. A B I C A L L I N S M O U N T D E S A L E S A C A D E M Y One thing I would tell an emerging leader is something that my mom and dad always tell me: to advocate for myself and continue to speak on things until I get it how I want it to be. And I feel like that can really be helpful when you're leading not only yourself, but a group; because sometimes people are scared to speak up for themselves, and being able to be that voice for someone else and helps get a shared goal together, respectfully. All of my friends can tell you that if they need something, I'll be the first person to volunteer. If anyone in school needs anything, I will be happy to do it, even if it's an extra load. But being there for people and being able to help them in times of need is something I really do care for. Mount de Sales gives you a lot of opportunities to be in a leadership role. Right now, I am on student council, and I'm also co-president of the National Honor Society. I am vice president of Beta Club. It really does just make me feel more involved. I work with lots of groups of people, and it widens my span of leadership. Learn to be confident and able to help your fellow peers, while also sometimes sacrificing your time and energy to help them. It's definitely worth it in the end, but you have to be ready to accept that challenge, and succeed and fail. Londyn Rogers

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