Annual trips canceled due to coronavirus
IN FEBRUARY, Laurens Electric Cooperative selected 3 local high school students to represent the cooperative and be part of a memorable summer experience. Clair Cato of Southside Christian School, Jermarius Evans of Laurens District 55 High School, and Julia Marlett of Laurens Academy were scheduled to go to Washington, D.C. for the Rural Cooperative Youth Tour in June.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has forced the cancellation of the event. However, the local students will still have the opportunity to connect with new friends and learn this summer. The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina will hold a Virtual Youth Experience for students selected by their local cooperative. The multi-day event is planned for June 22-25 and will occur over the web-conferencing platform WebEx.
During the experience, the students will learn about cooperatives and how they are handling the COVID-19 crisis, hear from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and at the Statehouse, and learn from citizen leaders around the state about what is being done in response to the crisis. Students will also have the opportunity to earn a $5,000 college scholarship by creating a video or podcast detailing how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted their lives.
“During these times, we have to be innovative in order to continue supporting our communities and members,” says David Wasson, Laurens Electric’s President and CEO. “We’re disappointed that these students don’t get to take the trips as they were originally planned. But we’re glad that this experience is available to them. We think it will still be one they will always remember.”
Laurens Electric will also honor each student with a $2,000 college scholarship.
