JENKINSVILLE — More than 55 volunteers from South Carolina Electric and Gas Company’s V.C. Summer Nuclear Station visited 3,800 students at 22 high schools in Fairfield, Richland, Newberry and Lexington counties last month as part of the second North American Young Generation in Nuclear High School Blitz.
Students at Fairfield Central High School took to social media sites — using hashtag #griffinssoar — to voice their appreciation for the event and its impact on their future careers.
One Fairfield Central student, Alexus Ruff, wrote, “I believe this program with SCANA helped pave the way to my career in engineering!”
The V.C. Summer Chapter of NAYGN teamed up with Midlands Education & Business Alliance to coordinate the visits on Sept. 18 to schools in the greater Columbia area.
Fairfield Central High School students were among 3,800 in the Midlands who participated in a “Blitz” to learn about nuclear energy and careers in the industry.
The success of the 2014 High School Blitz led to a nearly doubled increase in the student population for this year’s event.
“The Blitz once again was a wonderful success,” said Nicholle Turnipseed, president of the V.C. Summer chapter of NAYGN. “Not only do the teachers and students have something to gain from this event, our volunteers love the interaction with the public and the opportunity to advocate for nuclear energy.”
Volunteers presented material on the science behind nuclear power; explained how nuclear power plants work to provide clean, safe and reliable electricity; and provided an overview of the job opportunities that the nuclear industry provides. NAYGN’s goal is to reach students that are at a crucial point in choosing their career paths.
Established in 1999, NAYGN is a national professional organization for young professionals in the nuclear industry. Professional development, public information and community service are among NAYGN’s focus areas.
In addition to the High School Blitz, other NAYGN community service projects in Fairfield County this year have included participation in a lunch buddy program and a back-to-school donation drive for local schools.
Originally published in The Herald Independent, October 9, 2015