By Josh P. Crotzer
Tamarian Gambrell and Abella Clark stood in single-file lines with 38 other teenagers as if they were getting lunch in their high school cafeteria. Instead of trays, though, they carried blue and green drawstring bags, filling them with toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and other hygiene items.
With their peers, the two Greenwood teens would help fill 500 bags as part of Kids Closet, a project of Women Involved in Rural Electrification, or WIRE, that provides hygiene essentials to teens experiencing homelessness across the state.
“Even though I didn’t contribute money or shop for the items, I felt honored to help pack a few bags for kids my age that are less fortunate,” says Gambrell, a student at Emerald High School.
Kids Closet is an annual part of Cooperative Youth Summit, a weeklong summer experience in Columbia for high school students, sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives. Clark and Gambrell represented Little River Electric Cooperative. Little River Member Services and Communications Director Tricia Smith served as a chaperone for the trip.
Another highlight of the trip for Gambrell and Clark was meeting Gov. Henry McMaster in his office, where they were treated to a 20-minute discussion about their state and McMaster’s role as its top executive.
“He talked to us about the history of the capitol and South Carolina,” says Clark, who attends Greenwood Christian School. “I really appreciated how much time he spent with us.”
Over the course of the week, students toured South Carolina ETV studios and the headquarters of CEEUS, the equipment and materials supplier for South Carolina's electric cooperatives, where they rode in bucket trucks, watched linemen work energized lines and tested electric vehicles. They also heard from state lawmakers during their State House visit and closed out the week competing in the Orators' Arena public speaking contest, where teams argued for or against assigned policy topics.
If you know a student interested in Cooperative Youth Summit or the cooperative’s other summer youth program, Washington Youth Tour, have them visit ecsc.org/youth and fill out the interest form.
