Myrtle Beach Middle School students learn about higher education at ‘Teal Tech Xperience’

By Drew Hansen and Allyson Bento

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. – With a goal to educate middle school students about higher education, Coastal Carolina University and Horry Georgetown Technical College kicked off the inaugural “Teal Tech Xperience.”

Over 300 eighth-grade students from Myrtle Beach Middle School toured CCU and HGTC campuses on Tuesday to learn more about the future of their education, an idea sparked by CCU President Michael Benson’s wife Debi. She said she wanted to teach their son, a student at MBMS about the opportunities of higher education in the county.

“You gotta introduce kids at a much earlier age to what collegiate experiences are available right here in our backyard so we came up with this idea of getting them to campus, have them eat a meal in our dining hall come on the teal turf,” said Michael Benson.

Exciting Experiences Await

Students had the opportunity to tour the campuses, eat in the dining halls, and capped off the day running through the tunnel onto the teal turf for an authentic CCU athletics experience. The CCU dance team and pep band greeted students as they made their way onto the field. While on the field the middle schoolers had the opportunity to meet with college athletes and even take pictures with mascots. Some even challenged CCU track athletes to sprint races.

Expanding Horizons

Debi and Michael Benson hope this new program will eventually expand to students across Horry County. “You can feel the excitement,” said Michael Benson. “It’s been a great day. As I said, this is the first we hope in many visits of other middle schools throughout the county.”

Memorable Keepsake

During the event, a group photo was taken and will be gifted to each student during their 8th-grade graduation.