Month: June 2021

Senator Tim Scott, S.C.-R, and Representative Nancy Mace, S.C.-R, spent time with students from across South Carolina as part of the Virtual Youth Experience on Thursday.

Scott addressed the government’s role in ensuring every American has equal access to opportunity.

“There are a lot of hurdles that we all face as Americans,” said Scott. “For each of us, there is at least one challenge that we face that is unusual—whether it be geographic location, gender-based discrimination, poverty or any number of other issues. I think the best way to address these issues, at least in the public forum, is to focus on education. A good education is the closest thing to magic in America that I’ve ever seen.”

Mace spoke about division within American politics and the role social media plays in fostering this dynamic.

“I think social media is really bad,” said Mace. “If you’re on the left, they give you more left-leaning content, and if you’re on the right, they’re giving you more right-leaning content. Social media companies are really propagating the problem of division within our country.”

You can view highlights from the Virtual Youth Experience here.

Wednesday marked the third day of the Virtual Youth Experience (VYE), a week-long web conference sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives, designed to bring together high-achieving high school students from across the state to meet with various local, state and national leaders.

Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s chief epidemiologist, answered questions from students regarding the future of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are at another crossroads,” said Bell. “We have excellent tools to keep the disease rates down, but we are also monitoring changes in the virus. We have observed a very, very concerning variant, known as the Delta variant, which was first detected in India. Our goal is to outrun this variant through high vaccine coverage.”

You can view highlights from Dr. Bell’s dialogue here.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) spent time with students from across South Carolina as part of the Virtual Youth Experience (VYE) on Tuesday.

Graham, South Carolina’s senior United States senator, spoke to the students about what the United States means to him.

“The United States is the glue that holds the world together internationally,” said Graham. “Look at the effect we have beyond our borders. We are the bullwork against evil. We are not a perfect people, but we are the strongest force for good in the history of humankind.”

Students were also encouraged to hear of Graham’s advocacy for the expansion of accessible and affordable rural broadband. Graham highlighted the electric co-ops’ role in bringing high-speed internet to rural South Carolina.

You can view highlights from Tuesday’s Virtual Youth Experience here.

Rev. Charles Jackson and Rep. James Clyburn spent time with students from across South Carolina as part of the Virtual Youth Experience on Monday.

The Virtual Youth Experience, a week-long web conference sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives, was designed to bring together high-achieving high school students from across the state to meet with various local, state and national leaders.

Jackson, senior pastor at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, spoke to the students about the importance of loving one another and positive race relations.

“My confirmation of what it means to be American comes from having grown up in a Christian home,” said Jackson. “My parents taught us to love above all else. I thank God for both the principle and the practice of love. We have to transcend these barriers that divide us, and we can do that through love.”

Clyburn, who represents South Carolina’s sixth congressional district and is the third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, spoke to the students about finding common ground.

“I have a philosophy that I try to live by, that is if the distance between me and my opponent is five steps, I don’t mind taking three of them,” said Clyburn. “I never mind meeting someone more than half way.”

Students were also encouraged to hear of Clyburn’s advocacy for the expansion of accessible and affordable rural broadband. Clyburn described high-speed internet as an essential component of bringing rural America into the 21st century.

A total of 75 students—all rising high school juniors or seniors—are participating in the Virtual Youth Experience. These students represent 17 electric cooperatives across South Carolina.

The June 2021 edition of South Carolina Living magazine has been uploaded to horryelectric.com!

The main part of South Carolina Living magazine, which can also be found online includes the usual recipes, plus a few feature articles about interesting people and places in our own state!

The June 2021 edition has six pages dedicated to local news about your co-op. Highlights include: 

• CEO Column– Annual Meeting a success; Hurricane season begins June 1.
• Virtual Youth Experience: Local students to meet with state leaders during virtual conference.
• Restoring Service after the Storm: Steps to restoring power.
• “Heart” of Power Delivery: A look into one of our departments – How substations are the heart of power delivery.
• Various co-op news: Myrtle Beach student wins book challenge; Beat the Peak contest; Do you have special medical needs?; Include us in your plans.