Dozens of students from Palmetto Boys and Girls State program celebrates this year’s class

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Friday at the State House, hundreds of students from the Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State programs celebrated this year’s class.

Organizers say the programs are a unique way for young men and women to learn about the American system of government and politics by participating in a mock governmental system.

Boys State was started by the American Legion in Illinois in 1935. Palmetto Boys State got its start in 1940. Palmetto Girls State was added in 1947.