Gaffney High social studies teacher named National Teen Republicans Advisor of the Year

By SCOTT BAUGHMANLedger Staff Writerscottb@gaffneyledger.com

Billy Pennington When Billy Pennington prepares to host the meetings of the Gaffney High School Teenage Republicans, he usually focuses on community service and keeping the students informed of current events.

Now, he can tell them about being named the National Teenage Republicans Advisor of the Year.

"I was really surprised when I heard I had won," Pennington said. "The award was announced at the National Teenage Republican Convention and unfortunately none of us were able to attend this year. I'll actually receive the award at the South Carolina Teenage Republican Convention which will be Aug. 13 in Columbia. To be honest, I had no idea I was even nominated. If I had known, I might have made more of an effort to go."

This marks Pennington's sixth year as advisor for the political group. He teaches social studies at GHS, which includes lessons about world history and world geography. A graduate of the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg, Pennington spent his first year of teaching at Ewing Middle School.

"As an advisor for the Teenage Republicans, my job is primarily to be a sort of gobetween for the students and the administration," Pennington explained. "All the clubs at the school have a faculty advisor who handles that for them. A group of students can't just get together and decide they want to sell candy for a cause; they need an official group and advisor. When I prepare for our meetings I usually fill in the students on any current events and the response to them by the Republican Party. But most of our time is actually spent doing community service projects. We've done fundraisers before for the Seniors Centers of Cherokee County, the American Red Cross of Cherokee County, Adopt-A-Highway and send support and supplies to the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Pennington said there was usually time in each meeting for some heavy political discussion, but he has to keep in mind the age of his audience.

"We only meet once a month and I try to keep that limited to 30 minutes at a time," he said. "Most of these kids are all involved in other extracurricular activities so they don't have a lot of time. But I certainly am proud of all the good work they do. I hope that my winning this award can draw some attention to how they're making a difference not just at our school, but also in the community."