Mayo student honored in statewide public-speaking competition
On Dec. 15, the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships held its 10th Annual Statewide Youth Leadership Oratorical Forum and Banquet under the leadership of its executive director, Jessica McMoore.
The purpose of the banquet was to empower youth through strengthening their communicative and emotional skills, and increase self-confidence through public speaking. Over 200 students, family members and staff gathered to witness 11 students speak on current events.
Hashani Goff is the 2018 Statewide Representative for the Darlington County Community Action Agency Inc., and placed third out of 11 orators.
She is the daughter of Shane Goff and Pamela Stevenson, and a senior at Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology, where she is currently an Honor Roll student and a member of the drama team.
Hashani lives in Darlington along with her mother and little brother. She enjoys reading and helping others. Her favorite food is pizza.
She wants to first complete a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and then pursue a medical degree and specialize in OB-GYN. After receiving her graduate degree, she would love to work in a hospital in South Africa.
This is her second year as a member of the Darlington County CAA Youth Leadership Program. Her favorite quote is: “Anyone in the world can give up; it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But true strength is to hold it together when everyone would expect you to fall apart.”
The Darlington County Community Action Agency is one of 14 South Carolina Community Action Agencies whose service area includes all cities and communities in Darlington County. The central office is in Hartsville with satellite offices in Darlington, Lamar and Society Hill. Its executive director, Jacqueline Slayton, was present for the competition.
The mission of the SCACAP Statewide Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is to provide income eligible elementary, middle and high school students with the educational opportunities that target individual improvements in academic, behavioral and social achievement, career exploration and civic responsibility.
SCACAP sponsors many events for the youth of South Carolina to include a Statewide Leadership Conference, the Development of a Statewide Youth Council, Youth Awareness Day and the Youth Institute for Empowerment.
This event was a collaborative venture between the S.C. Association of Community Action Partnerships and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.