Williamsburg Academy student Marion Benton (left) watches as Williamsburg Technical College cosmetology instructor Charmaine Green (center) shows her proper nail technology techniques on Marion’s mother, Michelle Benton.
Eighteen area eighth grade students attended the fifth annual Techno-Camp held at Williamsburg Technical College on May 19.
Participants included: Kingstree Junior High School student Dashai McElveen accompanied by Bianca Thomas; Williamsburg Academy students Hunter Watford accompanied by Dana W. Williamson, Marion Benton accompanied by Michelle Benton, Kelli Stone accompanied by Frances Smith, Trey Wingate accompanied by Chris Perkins, Lajoe Ward accompanied by Teri Ward, and Dee McCutcheon accompanied by Jan Jordan; C.E. Murray students Donavan Tisdale accompanied by Stephanie Tisdale, Ervin McBride accompanied by Nancy McBride, Kevin Burgess accompanied by Raymond Burgess, Emma Williams accompanied by Demitrick Williams, Alexis McElveen accompanied by Valerie McElveen, George Beaufort Jr. accompanied by George Beaufort Sr., Shirley Council accompanied by Kimberly Council, Desiree Conyers accompanied by Moletha June, Wallace Mack Jr. accompanied by Berlinda Mack; and J. Paul Truluck student Michael Coker accompanied by Judy Coker. Due to a conflict, Hemingway students were unable to attend this year.
The all-day event is designed to offer eighth graders the opportunity to explore a variety of technical career fields available to them. Each camper selected two workshops to attend from choices including health technology and nursing, criminal justice, machine tool technology, welding, automotive, and nail technology. Williamsburg Technical College instructors who volunteered their time to teach the workshops included: Sheila Forester, Michelle Jones, Jean Martin, Charmaine Green, Jeff Ball, Trey Cribb, Mike Cumbie, Brandon Haselden, and Jeff High. Also helping with the criminal justice session was Kingstree Police Department officer Carnell Knight.
The students and their accompanying parents or guardians were welcomed by Williamsburg Technical College President Cleve H. Cox. They took a tour of the campus led by recruiter Leroy Gibson and then went to their first workshop where they were provided hands-on experience in their chosen area. Refreshments were provided between the first and second workshop sessions.
At the end of the day’s activities, participants gathered in the auditorium for the presentation of Techno-Camp T-shirts and certificates of attendance by dean of instruction Clifton Elliott and Techno-Camp coordinator Sylvia Cumbie.