Traveling 1,000 miles. 

Dressing bed sores. 

Financial literacy. 

About three dozen rising eighth graders and high school freshmen completed a wide range of topics and activities during three weeks at Northeastern Technical College’s Trailblazer Camp to show them the lay of the land for their futures. 

From June 3-21, students from Dillon and Marlboro Counties attended a series of lectures, demonstrations, and field trips aimed at introducing the worlds of advanced manufacturing and medical fields along with life coaching advice such as planning for the future, from education to finances. 

“Empowering students as young as 13- and 14-years old now with knowledge about what future holds for them pursing in-demand skills lays the foundation for a future where they can shape industries and communities,” said NETC President Dr. Kyle Wagner. 

Camps were hosted at NETC’s Marlboro Campus in Bennettsville and Dillon High School. 

At Dillon County, Anthony Barr, Briahna McCray, Kendra Townsend, Jaslyn Jones, Johniyah Townsend, Destiny Tyson, Bre’Asia Gillespie, Braxton Cook, Da’skaya Felton, Noah Singletary, Kadence Rose, Tiasharee McLaughlin, Navae Johnson-German, Sanaa Hodge, Jadyn McCollum, Sabriyah Odom, Aaliyah Jordan, Santashia Brown, A’saria Grice, Janiya Quick, Quinton Johnson, Mariah Cridland, Samaria Pittman, and Jonas Page. 

Receiving certificates at Marlboro County, Ranaviah McNeil, Z’Kiyyah Smith, Makenzie Chavis, Leighianna Williams, Darriana Davis, Kamiya Grady, Lebrandon Henegan, Lamontrae Bright, Dallas McQueen Jr., Marcus Bostic, Antwon Young, and Najee Truesdale. 

Some days were in a classroom setting playing NFL-based video games where plays were determined by answering questions in finances. NETC medical assistant students worked one-on-one with those in the Allied Health tract teaching how to read blood pressure – including hands-on class about dressing bedsores on a training dummy. 

Students also traveled during camp visiting Boeng in North Charleston, the S.C. State House in Columbia, and Team Penske in Mooresville, N.C. 

At the end of the three weeks, the students were recognized for completing the camp in either workforce or Allied Nursing. 

NETC’s Trailblazer Camp is designed to expose young students to high demand and high wage careers available close to home and without the debt burden of a four-year university, said Dr. Wagner. 

“It is crucial for eighth graders and high school freshmen to begin exploring the industrial workforce. Our summer camp provides them with early exposure to real-world career opportunities and helps young students develop an understanding of the essential skills that are highly valued and needed,” he said. 

Parents interested in seeing a NETC Summer Camp in their area can call 800.921.7399. 

Art comes in many forms, explore your creativity this summer with thread and needle.  

Northeastern Technical College features an introduction to sewing class with Cheraw-based fashion designer Myranda Teal. 

The four-week class begins July 24, with day and night classes slated for 10 a.m. to noon or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at NETC’s Cheraw campus. Registration is $100 per person with a July 18 deadline. Seating is limited.

Bring your own sewing machine. A material list will be provided to students. 

Teal, 27, entered the world of sewing and design simply to learn the basics in 2018.

She borrowed a sewing machine, clicked play on how to videos, and ignited a passion in children’s fashion design that has led to a small business with sales of one-of-a-kind children’s clothing reaching customers in Europe and Asia.  

"Sewing is not just a mere hobby to me, it is an embodiment of passion, creativity, and self-expression. It ignites a fire within me, inspiring and empowering me to explore new possibilities, one stitch at a time,” Teal said, “Each day, as I sit behind the sewing machine, I am transported to a world where my imagination knows no bounds, and I am free to bring my visions to life.” 

Teal’s works have led to her participating in fashion shows through her brand Meraki, The Collective (to include The Bureau Fashion Week this September). 

One can learn to repair or hem clothing and immerse themselves in design and creativity with sewing as a skillset, she said.

Through the art of sewing, Teal says she can channel her thoughts, emotions, and ideas into tangible creations when words cannot.

"Sewing is a constant source of joy and fulfillment, enabling me to immerse myself in something I truly love. Sewing has the power to transform not only fabric but also my mindset, providing a therapeutic escape from the chaos of everyday life. It allows me to slow down, breathe, and immerse myself in the present moment, as each stitch weaves together a beautiful tapestry of my own making. Sewing is not just a skill, but a profound part of who I am. It is the thread that connects my heart, soul, and hands, enabling me to create, inspire, and bring beauty to the world around me." 

Introduction to sewing will focusing on the basics of sewing: understanding how the sewing machine works, fabric and threads, hand vs machine stitches and more. 

To register for Myranda Teal’s introduction to sewing class, call NETC at 800.921.7399. 

Due to a sinkhole that developed April 18 at the NETC Cheraw Campus exit point facing Hwy 9, it has been closed to thru traffic.

There is one entry and exit point facing Hwy 9.

Traffic may also utilize the entry and exit facing Tec Road.

College Administration and the Maintenance Department are working diligently to address this issue.

It’s not every day a middle school student can walk on a college campus to fight against a pantheon of gods. 

Northeastern Technical College Athletic Department can arrange this ethereal combat through its Summer Esports Camp open to both middle and high school students. 

From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 8-10, NETC Esports hosts middle school students where they are introduced to competitive gaming with strategy sessions for individual along with teamwork skills while playing a variety of games such as the Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, NBA2K, Madden, Overwatch 2, Counter-Strike, Valorant, and more.  

High school students follow up July 15-17 diving into more advanced gaming strategies, said NETC Athletic Director and Esports Head Coach Tyler Nolan. 

Spaces limited to 16 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is $150, which includes lunch throughout camp. 

“Between gaming sessions, students are tasked with researching and reporting on various topics about the video game industry, skills and education needed to enter various fields, and jobs available,” said Nolan, whose gaming background includes being a member of pro team FaZe Clan earning a spot through a national competition and maintaining streaming content.  

“The video game industry generates about $100 billion annually in America outperforming Hollywood with opportunity to be a part of it from game developers to reporting,” he said. 

High school students who enjoy competition gaming, can transition into the intramural program open all full-time, part-time, and dual enrollment NETC students, Nolan said.  

However, to be an official Trailblazer team member, students must be full time with at least 12 semester hours and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, according to National Junior College Athletic Association rules, in which NETC participates under.  

Competitive gaming generates more than billion dollars annually in the United States with professional teams franchising into larger areas, Nolan said.  



Outside of playing a video game competitively, career paths in esports are like physical sports – video NETC’s set-up for student gamers consists of 20 Alienware machines with monitors in a dedicated space in the John C. West Building.