Austin Spooner is a rising junior who currently lives in Bainbridge and attends Bainbridge High School. He is the son of Tammy Tully of Bainbridge and Bill Spooner of Colquitt. to citizens that their vote does matter. ROME, GA — Rising junior Austin Spooner of Bainbridge has been awarded a $10,000 per year Servant Leadership Scholarship to attend Darlington School in Rome. The award, effective for the 2010- 11 school year, is renewable for two years.

“Austin represents Darlington’s motto and mission perfectly,” said James Milford, director of admission and assistant headmaster at Darlington School. “He has dedicated himself to academic achievement and helping others in his community. His work ethic, determination and academic ability make him an ideal candidate for Darlington. We are excited to have him join our school community, and we look forward to seeing his efforts impact the people of Bainbridge.”

As part of the Servant Leadership Scholarship requirements, Spooner will complete a 40-hour community service project in his hometown of Bainbridge each year that he is enrolled at Darlington. For the first year, he plans to focus on a Vote Decatur County voter registration campaign designed to register at least 100 new voters.

“We are excited about Austin’s interest and commitment to voter registration,” Milford said. “It shows that he has political understanding and responsibility that stretches beyond the boundaries of a political party. We know that Bainbridge and the surrounding areas will be stronger because of Austin’s efforts.

Spooner said he chose to pursue this project because roughly one-third of the eligible voters in Decatur County do not vote. “I see that as a major problem,” Spooner said. “We live in a country where our right to vote has been paid for with the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors, so ensuring that everyone has a voice in our democracy is a cause to which I am very committed.

“I plan to host a total of five fourhour voter registration drives at local businesses and public events in an effort to reach as many people as possible,” Spooner continued. “In addition, I will go door-to-door in an effort to get the message across to citizens that their vote does matter. Last, I will meet with the elected officials in my community in hopes of influencing these policy-makers to craft plans of their own that promote voter registration. The beauty of my plan is that anyone can do it, and by following through with this initiative, my goal is to start a movement in my community. After all, all great movements start on a small scale.”

Spooner said he looks forward to attending Darlington School this fall. “I want a superior college-preparatory education, and that was the major factor that helped me make my decision to change schools,” he said. “Darlington offers me a chance to really be challenged academically. I knew the moment I stepped on the campus that it was where I am meant to be.”

Spooner is the son of Tammy Tully of Bainbridge and Bill Spooner of Colquitt.

To inquire about this and other scholarship opportunities available at Darlington School, please contact admission@darlingtonschool.org. Darlington provides a rigorous, college-preparatory PK-12 day and boarding program that is global in focus and personal in delivery.

With specialized athletic academies directed by world-class coaching staffs, a full orchestral program, and more than 80 leadership opportunities for students, Darlington offers you more. For more information, visit www.darlingtonschool. org.