Not too many teenagers can say they ran in a race for governor (and won) – but Lola Gantt from Hanahan High certainly can.
Technically, it was through a series of mock elections organized by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Palmetto Girls State program over the summer, so having the title does not mean Gantt will have to make any stressful decisions for South Carolina like ordering a hurricane evacuation, or submitting an executive budget to the General Assembly.
However, as a high school student, it is a pretty big deal; Gantt is the first girl in Hanahan High history to be elected as Governor for the ALA Palmetto Girls State program.
Now Gantt hopes her experience ALA Palmetto Girls State will inspire peers to pay attention to how their government works, exercise their right to vote, and learn how their choices can impact their community.
Palmetto Girls State is a weeklong leadership and citizenship training program developed and sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, and ALA Girls State programs are held in every state of the country. Specifically, ALA Palmetto Girls State is South Carolina’s program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of South Carolina. There is a separate program for high school boys – Palmetto Boys State.
The goal of the program is to teach rising seniors about government and politics, and spark an interest in government on a local and national level.
Students have to be nominated by local American Legion Auxiliary units to participate in the program; the auxiliary looks for students who show an interest in government and demonstrate leadership in their school and community. Accepted members are referred to as “delegates” during the summer program.
Gantt is a very active student at Hanahan High, where she she serves as Senior Class President, runs cross country, participates on Yearbook and led the charge in establishing a Hanahan High book club.
Gantt was inspired to join ALA Palmetto Girls State after seeing her uncle participate in the Palmetto Boys State program; she recalled being in downtown Columbia and watching him participate in a parade that led to the State House, where the boys got to meet with state officials.
Gantt said she often hears her classmates say things like “Oh, I’m not voting”, or make remarks about political decisions not affecting them – but she begs to differ.
“It does affect you, and it’s better to be informed now…so that when the time comes (to vote) you can make an informed decision,” she said. “That’s the beauty of our government – we have the choice.”
Gantt is initially from Chapin and joined Hanahan High last year as a junior. She made contact with school counselor Dr. Jennifer Bellinger to fill out an application for ALA Palmetto Girls State and proceeded to land an interview at American Legion Post 166 in Goose Creek.
Gantt was subsequently selected to participate in 2024 ALA Palmetto Girls State event, held in June at Presbyterian College.
Gantt said she wanted to go into the week with an open mind, and an attitude geared toward having fun, making friends and learning more about the democratic process.
“I never expected to go in and do all that I did,” she said, adding, “There are girls there from all over the state…that was really cool, just to meet so many people.”
The week is a hands-on application of government and citizenship. Delegates who participate in ALA Palmetto Girls State are randomly sorted into one of two made-up political parties – Federalists and Nationalists. Gantt was a member of the Federalist party. The delegates participated in mock political activities at the municipal, county and state levels of government by creating the mythical state of “Palmetto.” Part of the week includes the annual Palmetto Boys and Girls State parade, culminating with a rally at the State House in Columbia.
Gantt said a lot of mock elections take place during the program – there are elections for town/city mayors, county council members, Senate and House seats, State Secretary and more. Gantt herself ran for a couple other elections prior to the governor position.
As part of the governor race, Gantt had to make a speech in front of her party in hopes of them selecting her as their nominee for governor.
Once winning that nomination, Gantt had to make a big speech in front of all 650 delegates in the program on Thursday of that week.
She was named Governor that same evening – a pleasant surprise for Gantt, whose friends/fellow delegates celebrated the victory with her as her name was called.
“I was shocked,” she said.
Gantt was joined at Palmetto Girls State with fellow Hanahan High seniors Ella Cameron, Lauren Furse and Lorelai Rumple, who also participated in the elections. Cameron was voted Vice Chairman in a county council race; Furse was elected to the Palmetto Girls State’s House of Representatives, and was elected a city council member; Rumple was appointed Associate Judge in the court of appeals and also ran in a city election.
Most of Gantt’s “duties” as Governor took place during her time at the leadership event. However, Gantt is slated to speak at the State Auxiliary in October.
Outside of learning more about American government, Gantt said was able to build her confidence in public speaking, and she made a lot of friends with her fellow delegates.
“I think the government aspect deters a lot of people…but I think it is about so much more than that,” she said. “It’s about learning what kind of person you are, and just getting out of your shell and your comfort zone.
“Even if you’re not interested in government, learning those skills are important just the same,” Gantt added.
Her visit to Presbyterian College is getting her excited about next year; Gantt is hoping to attend Georgetown University and wants to study either biology or chemistry (her favorite subjects) and then move toward a career in public health.
She comes from a family of educators – her mom, Beatrice Gantt, is a Spanish teacher at Hanahan High; her dad is Whitesville Elementary Principal Brandon Gantt.
Gantt has three younger sisters in BCSD and said she excited to be a role model to them.
“It’s great for me to know that they have someone to look up to that’s doing all these fun, cool things – and they know they can do that too,” she said.
Hanahan High Principal Tom Gallus can attest that Gantt is a very organized, mature and talented student at Hanahan and has a very bright future.
“She’s a great student,” he said. “She’s adapted super well to our school and has become a leader in the halls, on the athletic fields and in the community.”