Two local rising seniors were among fifty-five high school students from across the state that visited Columbia in July and saw up close how co-ops are preparing for the future. As selected participants of The Cooperative Youth Summit, Macey Hollman of Blacksburg and Walker Gilmore of Boiling Springs toured renewable energy sites, met with a state government leader, explored careers in the electric industry and took rides in all-electric vehicles.
The Cooperative Youth Summit, in its third year, also included visits to Newberry Electric’s Community Solar farm and the capitol complex in Columbia, where state Rep. Micah Caskey (Lexington-Dist. 89) encouraged students to realize the importance of hard work and determination.
“If you want to be successful, you have to put in the work,” said Caskey. “Your work ethic will determine your success after college and beyond.”
Students visited Mid-Carolina Electric on Thursday, learning about line work, taking bucket truck rides, observing pole-climbing demonstrations and hearing of co-op career opportunities.
The summit ended in Columbia where students took rides in electric vehicles – a Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3. ECSC’s Breeden John explained the science behind electric vehicles.
To see moments from this year’s Cooperative Youth Summit, follow South Carolina’s electric co-ops on Twitter @SCcooperatives.
Hollman and Gilmore’s participation in The Cooperative Youth Summit was sponsored by Broad River Electric Cooperative.