High school students go virtual this summer

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative selected high school students for trips this summer to Columbia and Washington as part of an experience that connect students from across the state with government leaders. But the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation of both in-person events. However, the students will still have the opportunity to connect with new friends and learn this summer. The state’s electric cooperatives will hold the Virtual Youth Experience June 19-26 through an internet-based video conferencing system. Participating in the virtual experience will be:  Neleah Clough of Taylors, Karlyn Esuary of Liberty, Page Holcombe of Seneca and Daniel Watson of Pickens. They will learn about cooperatives and how they are handling the COVID-19 crisis, hear from influential speakers including Governor Henry McMaster, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and more. The students also will have the opportunity to earn a $5,000 college scholarship by working in teams to create a podcast detailing how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted their lives. Seventy-nine students—all rising high school juniors or seniors—will take part in the Virtual Youth Experience. They represent 19 electric cooperatives across South Carolina.

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