In this July 6, 2025 episode, we talk with Sophia Perlee of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League and Ronnie Scott of the South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy. Photo: 92.5 Kickin' Country/Saga Communications
Lowcountry Forever: CSOL Arts Serenade & SC Youth Challenge Academy – July 6, 2025
SEGMENT #1: Charleston Symphony Orchestra League
GUEST: Sophia Perlee, CSOL Board Member
ISSUE: Arts & Entertainment
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League is the fundraising arm of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. This summer, the CSOL is introducing a new event, “Arts Serenade” on Saturday, Aug. 16. Sophia Perlee, a CSOL Board member describes as an afternoon of live performances with interactive experiences celebrating the Lowcountry Arts Community. Taking place at North Charleston’s Park Circle, Arts Serenade will feature not only live music performances, but live art performances as artists will create works at the event. Plus, there’ll be interactive sessions where visitors can speak with the artists and performers. Arts Serenade is to both introduce attendees to portions of the arts they otherwise may not experience, and to fundraise for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
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SEGMENT #2: South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy
GUEST: Ronnie Scott, Executive Director
ISSUE: Youth Issues
According to its website, the S-C Youth ChalleNGe Academy is in Eastover and is a place where change happens. The academy is for youths that have had some challenges and need assistance to get back on the right path. Ronnie Scott, the Academy’s Executive Director explained the Academy is not a military academy, but it does have established systems that cadets must adhere to. It is also not a place where troubled youth are automatically sent. The Academy accepts cadets in two cycles, one in January and one in July for the six-month long program. Teenage residents of South Carolina can attend the Academy for free. Plus, there is an opportunity, and need, for adults to join the program and become mentors to the cadets, which is the way Scott was introduced to the Academy.
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