Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
The State House visit was a highlight of the Cooperative Youth Summit for Justin Shivers and Lucas Chavis.
BORN IN EUGENE, Oregon, Justin Shivers never thought he’d get to go to South Carolina’s State House. Not only did the rising senior from Barnwell High School get to tour the place where South Carolina laws are made, he sat in the Governor’s chair and met with a legislator.
“I loved that we got the background tours and saw things that most people don’t get to see,” says Shivers. “It was unreal, almost. I never thought those were things anyone was allowed to do.”
That was just one part of the experience Shivers and Lucas Chavis of Dorchester Academy had on the Cooperative Youth Summit, thanks to Edisto Electric Cooperative. The two teens joined 37 other high school students sponsored by South Carolina electric cooperatives on a four-day journey of their state’s capital and the surrounding area.
The students visited Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and explored electric vehicles. During their day at the State House, they learned about legislative advocacy from S.C. state Rep. Kirkman Finlay and John Frick, vice president of government affairs for The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
The students got a behind-the-scenes look at a cooperative when they went to Newberry Electric, where they heard stories of outages, saw the dangers of electricity and rode in a bucket truck.
They learned first-hand how a not-for-profit co-op business model works through the Soda Pop Co-op, a student run co-op that sold snacks and beverages. The students received cash back as their share of the end of the trip margins.
“We’re proud to support the Cooperative Youth Summit,” says Brian Hefner, manager of member services for Edisto Electric. “For the students, it can be a life-changing experience. It expands their perspectives, develops good citizenship and creates connections that could last a lifetime. For our community, it is an investment in the future that benefits all of us.”
Perhaps the most unique opportunity for Cooperative Youth Summit students is the Podcast Challenge. Both Shivers and Chavis have collaborated with students from other backgrounds and areas of the state to produce a podcast that addresses the question, “Given the turbulence in our nation and around the globe, how can young people impact their local communities?” Throughout the week, the students were guided in their production by instructors Rodrigo Acosta, Julie Firetag and George Scouten. Both Shivers’s and Chavis’s short podcasts will be available to listen to on Edisto Electric’s website, edistoelectric.com.
“I thought it was a great trip and learning experience and everyone wanted to help one another,” says Chavis. “What stood out is the teachers’ willingness to help the students and push them to do greater work.”
