Former US Ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley visited students at Chapin High School Oct. 23.

Haley spoke to students, faculty and staff about her experiences in both state and federal offices and gave life advice to students.

“What I want you to remember is I want you to go out and use the power of your voice for good and use it to show people why we are blessed to be in America,” Haley told the assembly. “Use your voice to fight for those people who don’t have those freedoms.”

Haley also participated in a brief question and answer session and talked about the importance of being diligent on social media, her challenges and successes as Governor and the UN Ambassador, and her biggest inspiration.

“My Mom has always been a big inspiration to me,” Haley said.

Seniors were given the opportunity to take a picture with Haley, and afterward said the visit was an experience they won’t forget.

“I just feel so grateful to get to hear from someone so influential not only on our state level but also on the national level,” said Chapin High Student Body President Mary Grace Galloway.

Senior Carter Burns added, “I feel like she is a very powerful speaker. Here at Chap-in, we always have a guest speaker come at some point during the year and it really encourages us to get through the remainder of the school year. It just hypes us up to go on and do great things.”

Haley served as governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and 3 terms as a representative in the state legislature. She served as US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 until October 2018, when she resigned.