20 under 40 nominations

Rome City Schools announces a new award to help honor our outstanding young alumni from Rome High School. The Rome City Schools 20 Under 40 Award has been established to recognize members of the Rome City Schools family for extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements, and distinguished service to others. 

Nominees are expected to have made substantial impacts in their industry, field, or community and demonstrate the ideals of Rome City Schools. 

Qualified Nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Rome High School graduate

  • Be under the age of 40 on January 1, 2025

  • Be willing to submit a photo, if selected, that can be published by Rome City Schools online, in publications, and on social media

  • Professional achievement, including, but not limited to, one of the following:

    • have made an impact in business, research, artistic, leadership, community, educational, and/or philanthropic endeavors

    • demonstrated notable civic involvement, leadership, or recognition

    • been recognized as an intellectual leader or representative of a field or industry

This will be a nomination-based process. Self-nominations will be accepted. The selection committee will review nomination forms to see if candidates demonstrate RCS values. Please include as much information as possible on nomination forms. The committee will select nominated alumni who meet the criteria and send out applications to get more information about the candidates. 

  • October 1, 2025: Nominations open

  • October 31, 2025: Nominations close. Nominees will be contacted to submit an application soon after.

  • Dec. 1, 2025: Applications Due

  • January 30, 2026: 20 Under 40 Class of 2025 announced

  • Late March or Early April 2026: 20 Under 40 Awards Luncheon in Rome

While the age limit means some graduating classes won’t be represented in this first award, Rome City Schools is excited to announce that in 2026, we will launch an additional program to celebrate Rome High School alumni over the age of 40.

Click here to learn more