At York Electric, we believe that leadership doesn’t just happen—it’s developed and nurtured through opportunity. That’s why every summer, we proudly sponsor local high school students for once-in-a-lifetime experiences through The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina (ECSC). Washington Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Summit not only provide lifelong friends and memories, but they also spark future cooperative and community leaders.
This year, Avery Black, Henok Mokonen, Molly Raymond and Ana Salas represented York Electric, joining students from across the state and country to learn about government, public service and the cooperative difference.
At Cooperative Youth Summit in Columbia, our students joined 49 of their peers to explore South Carolina’s State Museum, learn about electrical safety at the CEEUS training facility and tour Gov. Henry McMaster’s office. Students also competed in a public speaking competition, the Orator’s Arena. In teams, they researched and presented persuasive arguments on current political and cultural issues, such as artificial intelligence regulation or electric vehicle subsidies, with winning team members receiving $1,000 scholarships. They also learned about civic engagement and the importance of public service from South Carolina State Rep. Micah Caskey and John Frick, ECSC’s vice president of government relations.
Our Washington Youth Tour delegates traveled to the nation’s capital with the largest South Carolina group since before the pandemic. All 71 students visited historic and educational sites, including Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian museums, all while connecting with students from 43 other state delegations. Students even spoke with Senators Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. While learning about electric cooperatives and their role in the federal democratic process, students built and ran their own mock electric cooperative, the Soda Pop Co-op, learning how member-owned utilities operate firsthand.
More than an unforgettable summer trip, these programs reflect our deep commitment to education and leadership. They’re built for students to find the confidence and curiosity to lead. Just like we bring power to homes and businesses, co-ops bring opportunity to people, and that includes empowering young people to be tomorrow’s leaders. Ensuring strong future leaders is just another way we are looking out for you.
President and Chief Executive Officer