Spearman speaks to co-op students

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today marked the second day of the Virtual Youth Experience, 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.

During the experience, students heard from South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman as she discussed personal responsibility and reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When you return to school in August, things are going to look different,” said Spearman. “People need to be wearing masks, there needs to be smaller groups of students, busses need to be at half capacity, students don’t need to be eating in the cafeteria. It’s going to look different.”

Spearman also took questions from participants regarding race relations and opportunities afforded to students in rural South Carolina.

“I would say to any student, particularly students of color, living in communities where you may not have as many opportunities, you are just as smart as students in any other part of the state,” said Spearman. "If you take advantage of the opportunities you do have, your character and abilities will shine.”

A total of 79 students—all rising high school juniors or seniors—are participating in the Virtual Youth Experience. These students represent 19 electric cooperatives across South Carolina.