These 30 rock

By Cristina Daglas
This city is stirring with eclectic people. Activists walk next to musicians walking next to civil servants. Community members move to the gentle bustle of downtown with an unassuming stride. And no one ages.

This is Columbia’s chance to become acquainted with the community’s newest up-and-comers. They speak with modesty, but their accomplishments shine through. And they all have two things in common: They are under the age of 30, and they love what they do.

Hand-selected and highly recommended, most haven’t achieved national fame — yet — but they possess that ability. They are your everyday but by no means ordinary city folk. They combine drive with passion, smarts with arts and raw talent. These 30 Columbians are making a difference and doing it long before their mid-life crises.

From the future Olympian to the unorthodox artist, the prospective politician to the political reporter, the river-saving environmentalist to the “like new” cell phone salesperson turned television-commercial star, they seek change in communities, in the economy and in our current political system.

Some know hardship. Some are too young to imagine it. All are fueling their past and present into our community’s future.

These are local citizens doing extraordinary things.

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