UNION COUNTY — Ten Union County High School students have been selected to attend the upcoming Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State in June.
Palmetto Girls State
The American Legion Auxiliary has selected six outstanding rising seniors to represent Union County as delegates and alternates to the 67th session of Palmetto Girls State.
Palmetto Girls State brings together 500 of the most outstanding female rising high school seniors in the state for an intensive, week-long session in local and state government. It will be held at Presbyterian College in Clinton from June 9-15. Girls State includes seminars with local, state, and federal government officials. During the week, attendees participate in mock campaigns, caucuses, and run for office in mock elections. Additionally, Girls State emphasizes the tenets of the American Legion Auxiliary, such as the concepts of “God and Country” and respect for the American flag.
2013 American Legion Auxiliary Palmetto Girls State primaries are Madison Nicole Gardin, Hannah Noel Hartley, Chasmyn Kjerstin Smith, and Alana Dion Wright. Alternates are Tatiana Sade Ferguson and Kanani Hanako Miliani Lodge.
Madison is the daughter of James and Nicole Gardin. She is a member of the National Honor Society, GT Drama, GT Art, Thespian Society, and Art Club. She is active in her church youth group. Her hobbies are art, reading, writing, knitting, and music. She plans to attend Winthrop University and major in Secondary English Education with a minor in Theatre.
Hannah is the daughter of Scott and Lisa Hartley. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, French Club, Future Farmers of America, and a graduate of Youth Leadership Union County. In JROTC, she holds the rank of Cadet First Lieutenant and serves as the Public Affairs Officer of the Yellow Jacket Battalion. She is Captain of the Color Guard, an honor graduate of Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge, a member of the Jedi Knights service organization, Raider Team and Drill Team. She has won the American Legion Auxiliary Award for Academic Excellence. She was the captain of this year’s JLAB Academic Team. She is a member of Ignite Youth Ministries at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship. Her hobbies are dancing and horseback riding. She plans to study Law at Duke University.
Chasmyn is the daughter of Mary Smith. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Interact, Arthur State Bank Junior Board of Directors, and serves as Treasurer of the 11th grade. She is a UCHS varsity cheerleader. She is a member of the St. Paul Baptist youth choir and junior usher board. Her hobbies include reading and photography. She plans to attend college and become an anesthesiologist.
Alana is the daughter of Keith and Paula Wright. She is a member of the UCHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Interact, Youth Leadership Union County, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and secretary of the National Technical Honor Society. In JROTC, she holds the rank of Cadet First Lieutenant and serves as the Yellow Jacket Battalion Logistics Officer and a member of the color guard and drill team. She has been a member of the nationally ranked JROTC Leadership Team for the past two years and has earned the prestigious Marshall and MacArthur medals. She is very active in community service including Relay for Life, Potter’s House, Union County Pregnancy Center, and Buffalo Community Benefit for Cancer. She is a member of Buffalo United Methodist Church and enjoys spending time with family and friends, meeting new people, and swimming. She plans to attend the University of South Carolina Upstate and study nursing.
Tatiana is the granddaughter of Mayor Mary Ferguson-Glenn. She is a member of GT Drama, the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Club, and JROTC. She is a member of the UCHS varsity golf team. She participates in Boogaloo Productions, 4-H Club, and numerous community volunteer activities. She enjoys reading, sketching, acting, and singing. Her plans include four-year college and a major in mass communications/media.
Kanani is the daughter of Ellie Garrido. She is an honors student and member of Youth Leadership Union and the Science Club. She plays varsity golf and softball. She attends St. Augustine Catholic Church and volunteers in the community, including Relay for Life. She enjoys running, writing, and spending time with family. She plans attend a four-year college.
Boys State
The General Harry M. Arthur American Legion Post 22 has selected four outstanding rising seniors at Union County High School to represent Union County at Palmetto Boys State, to be held at Anderson University from June 9-15.
Boys State brings together approximately 800 of the most outstanding male high school students in the state for an intensive, week-long session in local and state government. The week includes seminars with local, state, and federal government officials. Attendees are assigned to fictitious cities, counties, and political parties. They participate in mock campaigns and caucuses, and run for office in mock elections.
2013 American Legion Palmetto Boys State delegates are James Conrad Fore, Mark Timothy Freeman, Michael Mayo Leigh, and Detric Dequon Means.
James (JC) is the son of Mark and Wanda Fore. He performs with the UCHS Marching Band, Indoor Percussion, Wind Ensemble, and Drama Club, including the spring musical. He is an Eagle Scout in Troop 332 and Chief of the Order of the Arrow. He is a member of Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church. He plays golf and soccer. His hobbies are playing guitar, reading, and going to car shows. He plans to attend Georgia Tech and major in engineering.
Mark is the son of Mark T. Freeman, Sr. and Tina Burnett. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He performs with the UCHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Indoor Percussion. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and enjoys hunting, fishing, and swimming. He plans to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law and play in the Mighty Sound of the Southeast.
Michael is the son of David and Lisa Leigh. He is a member of the UCHS Band and the treasurer of the National Technical Honor Society. He is a Cadet First Lieutenant in JROTC and serves as the Yellow Jacket Battalion Adjutant. He is the captain of the JROTC Drill Team and member of the Color Guard. He has twice attended the JROTC Leadership Board and Symposium in Washington, DC. For the past two years, he has served as team captain. This year he extended the streak of national finalist finishes to an unprecedented six years. He participates in the Union Karate Center and Boogaloo Community Theater. He plans to attend Clemson or Furman University, study engineering, and participate in ROTC.
Detric is the son of Timothy and Vivian Gregory. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Interact. He performs with the UCHS Marching Band. In JROTC, he holds the rank of Cadet First Sergeant and is a graduate of Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge. He sings in his church choir and volunteers at the Union County Pregnancy Center. He is known for his big, wide smile and enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing the trumpet. He goal is to attend Furman University.
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