COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus held its second annual Legislative Youth Conference on Sept. 22 at the South Carolina State House.

Youths attending the conference were pre-selected high school students from around the state. The conference provided insight into the legislative process and included a mock legislative session by which youth discussed and voted on two energy-themed laws.

In addition to the State House session, the youths attended a luncheon at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Dominique Dawes, Olympic Gold medalist, was the keynote luncheon speaker. She encouraged attendees to follow their dreams.

"In this world, you never know what you can do until you try," Dawes said. "If you do not show up for the job interview, if you don't go after your dreams, you won't get it."

Dawes said youths need more encouragement from their communities, and for that reason, she said events like the Legislative Youth Conference are more important than any medal she's won.

"My hope and dream is that they take something away from this that's inspirational," she said. "I hope they realize that it wasn't easy for me. I had people that helped me. I had a passion and a plan, and I developed perseverance along the way."

Youths, school officials, chaperones and Legislative Black Caucus members attended the conference. Several colleges and universities were also present to provide admissions packets and promotional items to attendees.

Orangeburg County participants included Lake Marion High School's Jasmine Snell, Arthea Simmons, Nia Avila, Kristen Gillens and Antriel Palmer; Bethune-Bowman High School's De'quan Williams, Jayquon Pelzer, Audreanna Fogle and Proche' Stokes; Branchville High School's Hayriye Erdogan, Shantel Butler, Justin Chavis, Elizabeth Ecklar and Paige White; and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School's Kimberly Green, Erica Pinson, Funta Filani, James Stroman II and Akeem Brown.

Special to The T&D

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