Lexington Two Students Honored With Selection To Boys And Girls State Programs

West Columbia, SC 04/01/2026 -- Several Lexington Two high school students have been selected to participate in 2026 Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State over the summer.

The programs, sponsored by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, offer a range of leadership and citizenship activities that emphasize the workings of government and politics. Participants in the summer programs have completed their junior year and are selected based on leadership, scholarship, character and service, among other criteria.

The Lexington Two students selected for the programs are:

AIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL

Boys State

Daniel Butts

Cooper Chavis

Talon Harlin

Girls State

Addison Herron

Karsyn Roark

BROOKLAND-CAYCE HIGH SCHOOL

Boys State

Paiden Mergo 

Bennett Plane 

Jack Fisher 

Braden Gunnells 

Girls State

Ashilee Harrison

Han Truong

Ellaree Brown (alternate)

American Legion’s Palmetto Boys State is scheduled for June 7-13 at Anderson University, while American Legion Auxiliary’s Palmetto Girls State is set for June 7-13 at Presbyterian College.

2026 BCHS Boys and Girls State - Brookland-Cayce High School students selected to Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State: back row from left, Paiden Mergo, Bennett Plane, Jack Fisher, and Braden Gunnells; front row from left, Ashilee Harrison, Ellaree Brown, and Han Truong.

2026 AHS Boys and Girls State (2) - Airport High School students Cooper Chavis and Addison Herron, selected to Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State.

2026 AHS Boys and Girls State (3) - Airport High School students Addison Herron, Daniel Butts, and Talon Harlin, selected to Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State.