United States Congressman Don Davis made a stop in Roanoke Rapids Thursday on his Live the Dream Down East tour to visit the Center for Energy Education and meet with its ambassadors — the Radiant Rays.

He met with the center and the Rays to discuss ways to promote renewable energy while educating others.

The visit started with a student-led solar energy presentation. 

Congressman Davis later spoke with the students about the significance of the Center for Energy Education, their career goals, and barriers to keeping young professionals in the east. 

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 “I am so proud of this group of young ladies, and we must work to create more opportunities to keep them in the east. Our future and environment depend on their success,” said Davis. "These young women are the future, and we must provide them with the tools necessary to be successful and serve as the next generation of leaders.”

The Radiant Rays are a group of 10 young high school women who earned the opportunity to intern at the Center for Energy Education. The internship has allowed them the chance to visit colleges and corporate renewable industries while working with teachers, students, and industry professionals to extend knowledge beyond classroom walls.

“These high school student ambassadors, our Radiant Rays, support the Center for Energy Education’s mission of exploring, educating and championing climate change and social justice,” said C4EE’s executive director Mozine Lowe. “As a community of discipline and service, they pursue opportunities to expand their understanding and foothold of environmental justice advocacy.”

Lowe said, “Through creating and leading a range of volunteer and community service activities on behalf of C4EE in special events like a climate festival, a clean power fair and an environmental art contest, they’re well on their way to powering clean energy innovation while striving for educational growth and seeking workplace development.”