(Walhalla, SC)------------------------------------- The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is announcing today the completion of the fourth annual Girls Empowerment Summer Camp.
The camp, which consisted of 16 girls, concluded with a luncheon and award’s ceremony last Friday at the Hamilton Career Center. The graduates received a challenge coin, a certificate and a matching bracelet.
The girls participated in activities during last week, along with volunteers and several female deputies from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. The female deputies represented the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Special Operations Division, School Resource Officers, Detention Officers and an Animal Control Officer. Sgt. Jordei Jameson, who is an Investigator with the Criminal Investigation Bureau, spoke to the crowd assembled last week. Lt. Mark Lyles, who is the Sheriff’s Office Supervisor of the School Resource Officers, also delivered remarks as well.
Sgt. Nine McKee, from the Criminal Investigations Bureau, participated in her third Girls Empowerment Camp last week. Sgt. McKee says that the empowerment of the girls is one of the main focuses of the Empowerment Camp.
“We really focused last week on learning how to adapt and overcome challenges that life may throw at you,” according to Sgt. McKee. “Just based on your circumstances alone, or situations you are presented with throughout life, doesn’t determine who you are as a person. We focused on hard work, dedication, surrounding yourself with likeminded thinkers, and people who are going to encourage you, in order to do better and to be successful.”