School District Five students take part in American Legion Palmetto Boys and Girls State programs

For Immediate Release – June 17, 2022

School District Five students take part in American Legion Palmetto Boys and Girls State programs

IRMO – Twenty-four Lexington-Richland School District Five students recently participated in a one-week leadership and citizenship training program through The American Legion Department of South Carolina, Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State. 

School District Five students in attendance for Palmetto Girls State included: Lauren Becker (Chapin High), Morgan Cannon (Dutch Fork High), Hannah Carson (Chapin High), Emma Ciesielski (Spring Hill High), Mimi DeMasi (Dutch Fork High), Ava Grimaud (Spring Hill High), Elisabeth Hall (Irmo High), Zoi Seabrook (Irmo High), Aryana Stokes (Irmo High), and Molly Todd (Chapin High).

School District Five students in attendance for Palmetto Boys State included: Grayson Chatman (Dutch Fork High), Reagan Clark (Spring Hill High), Patrick Dunn (Chapin High), John Ervin (Spring Hill High), William Gierhart (Chapin High), Joseph Hodges (Irmo High), Cameron Jackson (Spring Hill High), Colin Johnson (Spring Hill High), Ethan Likas (Dutch Fork High), Spencer Likas (Dutch Fork High), Bryce Pickens (Spring Hill High), William Petruzzi (Irmo High), William Taylor (Spring Hill High), and William Ward (Chapin High). 

The leadership programs aim to educate outstanding high school students about state and local government and citizenship. The delegates, who are rising seniors in high school, are selected for the program based on the leadership skills and involvement they have shown in their respective schools and communities. Attendees experience governmental procedure by simulating political campaigns, elections, and the political process, while learning about the principles of citizenship and public service from guest speakers, expert panels and staff members.

The South Carolina Department of the American Legion Auxiliary has organized and administered Palmetto Girls State since 1947 and Palmetto Boys State since 1940. 

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