Education Notebook | Area students nab leadership training

Students from 11 area high schools will participate in the inaugural S.C. Youth Leadership Conference next month to learn skills that will last into adulthood.

The conference, offered only to sophomores, includes students from the coastal regions of the state, said Bill Moss, executive director. Courses on managing finances, discovering career opportunities and environmentalism skills will be taught, he said.

“We’ll have several courses that cover everything from social responsibility to various career opportunities,” Moss said. “It’s really a smorgasbord.”

Students were selected by their school administrators for the three-day conference, spanning May 15-17 at the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Hilton Head Gateway campus. Maya Van Wagenen, a New York Times best selling author, will make the keynote address.

“It’s a busy three days, but hopefully these students will come away with a good sense of where they’re going in the future,” Moss said.

Participating Horry County schools include: the Academy for the Arts, Science, & Technology; Carolina Forest High School; Conway High School; HCS Early College High School; Socastee High School; St. James High School; and Scholars Academy. Georgetown County schools include: Andrews High School; Carvers Bay High School; Georgetown High School; and Waccamaw High School.

“This conference is all about trying to give [students] information at this age that they might not otherwise fully acquire until their mid-20s,” Moss said.

“It keeps them from saying ‘if I only knew then what I know now.’”

Scholarship deadline approaches

The deadline to apply for a $1,000 Myrtle Beach Marathon Scholarship is quickly approaching, so student athletes are encouraged to brush off their pencils and send in applications soon.

Wednesday, April 15 is the final day for Horry County graduating seniors to apply for one of three one-time scholarships from the marathon. Students must have participated in a previous Myrtle Beach Marathon as a runner or volunteer, have at least at 3.0 GPA and be a member of one of their school’s athletic teams to be eligible.

“This is just another way that the marathon gives back to the community and is a way of thanking the community for their tremendous support over the years,” said Shaun Walsh, president of the Myrtle Beach Marathon. “We want to continue to encourage young people to exercise and be outstanding leaders in the community.”

Last year’s winners were: Gabrielle Brown, of Socastee High; Zachary Ohanesian, of Socastee High; and Jerry Schexnayder, of Myrtle Beach High.

To apply, visit the marathon’s website at http://mbmarathon.com/wordpress1/scholarships/ or email mbmarathon@yahoo.com for more information.

This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 6:59 PM with the headline "Education Notebook | Area students nab leadership training."