Twenty-seven rising seniors selected for prestigious citizenship and government training experience
Twenty-seven students from School District Five recently participated in the 2026 Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State programs, week-long leadership and citizenship experiences sponsored by The American Legion Department of South Carolina and the American Legion Auxiliary.
The programs, held June 7-13, provide rising high school seniors with hands-on experiences in government, leadership, and public service through simulated elections, political campaigns, and legislative processes.
Students representing School District Five at Palmetto Girls State, held at Presbyterian College, included Meagan Evans, Mullins Gore, Sophie Hall, Kennedy Hampton, Ava Howard, Elizabeth Kujawa, Anna Morrison, Riley Nicandro, Caroline Petruzzi, Lucy Pruitt, Milan Townsend, and Zhixuan Xu.
Girls State participants represented Dutch Fork High School, Chapin High School, Irmo High School, and Spring Hill High School.
Students attending Palmetto Boys State at Anderson University included Sawyer Bailey, Andrew Baughman, Beckham Diimmler, Noah Fuller, Brennon Graham, Brewer Haggard, Stillwell Hainsworth, Antwoine Pierce, Brandon Rogers, Gavin Scott, Ruhao Shen, Bennett Smith, Nickolai Sogaard, Benjamin Stover, and Riley Wilson.
The students were selected based on demonstrated leadership abilities and involvement in their schools and communities.
During the week, delegates gained firsthand experience in the workings of state and local government by participating in mock elections, political campaigns, and governmental operations. Students also learned about citizenship, leadership, and public service through presentations from guest speakers, expert panels, and program staff.
Palmetto Girls State has been organized and administered by the South Carolina Department of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1947, while Palmetto Boys State has been conducted by The American Legion Department of South Carolina since 1940.
The programs are designed to develop future leaders by providing participants with a deeper understanding of government, civic responsibility, and public service.
