David came to Palmetto Boys State at Wofford College in 1998 and was elected to the office of Lt. Governor. He was nominated to attend Boys Nation, where he was appointed Secretary of State. He returned to the program as a counselor, earning the Sinclair E. Lewis Senior Counselor of the Year Award in 2003. He was promoted to PBS Staff in 2004, and served in that capacity ever since.

A highly decorated and skilled Army helicopter pilot, at Palmetto Boys State David was well known for his hard work, his magnetic smile and sense of humor. David earned the highest level of respect amongst his peers, during his citizen year, his four years as a counselor, and his years at the staff level.

Several PBS Staff members recently recalled David’s years with the program. Rev. Sinclair Lewis said “I will remember the depths of his commitment.  Whatever he committed himself to, he gave his all. I am very grateful that PBS was one of David’s commitments.”

“He excelled at things that most of us would shout from the mountaintops, yet most of us never knew about them because his humility wouldn’t allow him to exalt himself. Instead, he was focused on others and how he could impact their lives for the better”, said PBS Director Stephen Lewis.

Seth Buckley remembers David Hortman in this way: “Courageous ….devoted…..selfless servant….committed to a cause greater than himself…..duty, honor and country were not words to him…they were his triune heartbeat.”

“Hortman was one of the best people I have ever known”, said PBS Staff member Doug Brune. “He established himself as a leader since day one at PBS, and he never let up. To say that we will miss him tremendously doesn’t scratch the surface of the void left behind by his passing.”

David was a 1999 graduate of Byrnes High School in Spartanburg. He was the president of the student body his senior year. He was a 2004 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, earning a degree in history.

He is survived by his mother Brenda Jones and step father Ken, of Inman, SC. Other survivors include his sister Jill Hortman Morris and brother in law Mark, of Colorado Springs, CO and his beloved niece Mackenna Morris. David will be remembered by hundreds of current and former Boys Staters, U.S. Army service men and women, extended family and friends.

Currently, progress is at Step 3: All DVDs Have Been Shipped!

Hampton County

Rutledge County

Calhoun County

Marion County

Moultrie County

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Samsung Scholarship

The Samsung Scholarship is given in appreciation of the USA’s participation in the Korean War. One citizen will receive $500 to $1000 from Samsung Corporation and will be eligible to compete for additional awards from Samsung up to $50,000. A scholarship application can be downloaded here. You may also need the Veterans Verification Document.

Earn College Credit

Every boys state participant has the opportunity to earn college credit. Click
here to learn more about this excellent opportunity to get a head start on your collegiate career.

Scholarship Programs

Palmetto Boys State has worked with several of the colleges and universities in the state to set up programs that offer a chance at scholarship money for our participants that excel while they are here. Click
here for a complete list of the scholarship programs.