A visit to the governor’s office, lessons in public speaking and a Q&A session with a state legislator seems like a jampacked summer.
But thanks to Little River Cooperative, a local high school student experienced those things and more in the span of four days in July. This summer, Miyalah Gambrell-Norman of Abbeville High School represented Little River Electric at Cooperative Youth Summit, an exploration of the state’s capital, civic engagement and the cooperative business model.
Miyalah Gambrell-Norman
The students, 51 in all from across the state, visited South Carolina State Museum, met with some of Gov. Henry McMaster’s top advisers in his office at the State House and were exposed to the importance of safety around electricity at the CEEUS facility in West Columbia. CEEUS is the materials supplier for the state’s electric cooperatives.
The students worked in teams to develop presentations related to current political and cultural debates such as regulating artificial intelligence and subsidizing electric vehicles. Each group took a stance on the issues in front of their peers and a panel of independent judges.
Youth Summit students also participated in a political exercise, in which they attempted to reach a two-thirds consensus on faux healthcare legislation. S.C. state Rep. Micah Caskey answered questions from the students and encouraged them to consider public service in their futures.
“We don’t sponsor local students on Youth Summit just to give them a memorable summer experience,” says Little River Electric CEO Chad Stone. “It’s an investment meant to have longer, further benefits.”
