From strangers to classmates: Leadership Georgetown County Class 33 celebrates its journey

May 21, 2026

By Karen Owens, Publisher and Member of Class 33

The mood at Inlet Affairs Wednesday morning was energetic and celebratory as members of Leadership Georgetown County Class 33 and their guests arrived for the graduation luncheon. Hugs and smiles were everywhere as classmates greeted one another — a stark contrast to our kickoff meeting at the Georgetown County Chamber’s office in Pawleys just ten months earlier.

John Bullard, Chair of the Chamber Board and the Honorable Kaye Hearn pose with yours truly.

At that first gathering, only a few people knew one another. For most of us, the room was filled with strangers, and as we listened to how the program would unfold, we were asked to find a roommate for our out-of-town opening retreat. Even for an extrovert like me, that felt a little intimidating. Thankfully, Kristin Bilbey of The Bunnelle Foundation said yes after just a few minutes of conversation over wine and crackers.

Like most leadership programs, this one challenged us to step outside our comfort zones. That meant making presentations, visiting a wide range of businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, museums and other organizations, and taking a deep dive into all things Georgetown County. We even traveled to Columbia to tour the Statehouse and meet with the elected officials who represent us in the South Carolina House and Senate.

Along the way, we toured manufacturing plants and local schools, heard from county leaders and business owners, visited Arcadia, Hopsewee and Hobcaw Barony, and walked the historic streets of Georgetown in the footsteps of Francis Marion. We made professional connections that will serve us well in the future, but just as importantly, we made new friends.

An important part of the Leadership Georgetown County experience is adopting a community service project, and our class chose to support the school nurses of Georgetown County School District. We created a renovated, fully stocked supply closet with clothing, basic hygiene products, reward stickers and storage bags. Those items may sound ordinary, but they are often the very things nurses purchase themselves to help the growing number of students in need across the district.

Patrick Brannen of Habitat for Humanity for Georgetown County discusses the community service project.

These nurses do far more than treat scraped knees and the occasional case of the sniffles. They manage a wide range of diagnoses and medications while making sure students’ most basic needs are met. Just as important, they help children feel included, respected and cared for.

Wednesday’s graduation was a fitting close to one chapter of our leadership journey, but not the end of it. Our guest speakers, including former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Kaye Hearn, reminded us that the real work begins now. We are meant to take the knowledge, skills and connections we gained through this process and use them to strengthen our community. That may look different for each member of Class 33, but if we choose action over sitting quietly in the back row, our class — together with the 32 that came before us — can continue making a meaningful difference in Georgetown County. And in the end, wasn’t that the point of the whole experience?