2026 PIRETTES
The Pirettes serve as the Water Festival’s goodwill ambassadors, participating in regional parades and other activities throughout the year. The Pirettes also offer assistance to patrons during the Water Festival.
Mary Margaret Ackerman is a fourth-generation Beaufortonian and the daughter of Louis and Melinda
Ackerman. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School and an active member of the Interact Club, Choir, Sophomore Class Student Council, and the Children’s Theatre at USCB. In her free time, Mary Margaret enjoys spending time with family and friends, pet sitting, and boating on the Beaufort River. After high school, she plans to attend Clemson University to major in Animal Science with a focus on Veterinary Studies. This is Mary Margaret’s second year as a Pirette.
Ackerman. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School and an active member of the Interact Club, Choir, Sophomore Class Student Council, and the Children’s Theatre at USCB. In her free time, Mary Margaret enjoys spending time with family and friends, pet sitting, and boating on the Beaufort River. After high school, she plans to attend Clemson University to major in Animal Science with a focus on Veterinary Studies. This is Mary Margaret’s second year as a Pirette.
Mackenzie Goodrich is a third-generation Beaufortonian and a second-year Pirette. She attends
Beaufort High School, where she is an active member of the Interact Club and the Unified Champion
Club, as well as the SIC representative for the Student Council. Mackenzie is also involved at the Baptist
Church of Beaufort, serving on the Youth Council and helping in the nursery. Her goal is to attend
Clemson University and pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Beaufort High School, where she is an active member of the Interact Club and the Unified Champion
Club, as well as the SIC representative for the Student Council. Mackenzie is also involved at the Baptist
Church of Beaufort, serving on the Youth Council and helping in the nursery. Her goal is to attend
Clemson University and pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Emily Gantt is the daughter of Andrew and Lea Gantt. She is a freshman at Beaufort High School who enjoys
playing softball, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends. After high school, Emily
plans to attend law school to pursue a career as a lawyer.
playing softball, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends. After high school, Emily
plans to attend law school to pursue a career as a lawyer.
Miya Gentry, daughter of John (Kyle) Gentry and Stephanie Worrell, has called Beaufort home since
2014. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School who enjoys spending her free time drawing, reading,
and being with her family. Miya aspires to become a veterinarian in the future.
2014. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School who enjoys spending her free time drawing, reading,
and being with her family. Miya aspires to become a veterinarian in the future.
Ava Haney, daughter of Patrick and Mandi Haney, is a freshman at Bridges Preparatory School. In her
free time, she enjoys running, dancing, and searching for shark teeth at the Sands. While she is still
exploring her future plans, Ava hopes to attend college in South Carolina after high school.
free time, she enjoys running, dancing, and searching for shark teeth at the Sands. While she is still
exploring her future plans, Ava hopes to attend college in South Carolina after high school.
Kylie Pennington is the daughter of Kimberly and Corey Pennington. Born and raised in Beaufort, she is a
freshman at Bridges Preparatory School, where she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. In
her free time, Kylie enjoys playing volleyball, going fishing, and spending time with her family. After high
school, she hopes to become a pediatric dentist. This is Kylie’s first year as a Pirette.
freshman at Bridges Preparatory School, where she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. In
her free time, Kylie enjoys playing volleyball, going fishing, and spending time with her family. After high
school, she hopes to become a pediatric dentist. This is Kylie’s first year as a Pirette.
Jamiya Polite is the daughter of Lashea Simmons and James Polite. Born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina,
she is currently a freshman and a cheerleader at Bridges Preparatory School. For the past ten years, she
has proudly served as a Girl Scouts of the USA Ambassador. In her free time, Jamiya and her family enjoy
going on cruises, taking long adventures and trips, and spending time with close friends. After high
school, she plans to attend college to earn an associate degree in cosmetology.
she is currently a freshman and a cheerleader at Bridges Preparatory School. For the past ten years, she
has proudly served as a Girl Scouts of the USA Ambassador. In her free time, Jamiya and her family enjoy
going on cruises, taking long adventures and trips, and spending time with close friends. After high
school, she plans to attend college to earn an associate degree in cosmetology.
Lily Severtson has lived in Beaufort her entire life with her mom, Chelsea. She enjoys playing volleyball,
fishing, and spending time with her friends and family. Lily is a student at Beaufort High School and is
proud to be a first-year Pirette.
fishing, and spending time with her friends and family. Lily is a student at Beaufort High School and is
proud to be a first-year Pirette.
Jordan Shytle is the daughter of Megan and John Shytle. She is a homeschooled high school student and
the third of ten children. Born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina, Jordan enjoys playing soccer and
cooking and baking in her spare time. One day, she hopes to visit Paris.
the third of ten children. Born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina, Jordan enjoys playing soccer and
cooking and baking in her spare time. One day, she hopes to visit Paris.
Audri Smith, daughter of Amanda and Jack Keener, is a freshman at Beaufort Academy. She participates
in non-competitive horseback riding and enjoys babysitting, spending time with friends, and traveling in
her free time. While she is still exploring her career path, Audri dreams of pursuing a future career in
New York City.
in non-competitive horseback riding and enjoys babysitting, spending time with friends, and traveling in
her free time. While she is still exploring her career path, Audri dreams of pursuing a future career in
New York City.
Carolina Steckley, daughter of Rob and Britney Steckley, is a sophomore at Bridges Preparatory School,
where she participates on multiple sports teams. After high school, she plans to study physical therapy
and later serve in the U.S. Navy.
where she participates on multiple sports teams. After high school, she plans to study physical therapy
and later serve in the U.S. Navy.
Addisyn Still, daughter of Allison and Jim Still, is a Beaufort native and a freshman at Beaufort High
School. She is proud to be a first-year Pirette. In her free time, Addisyn enjoys playing softball and
spending time with her family and friends. After high school, she plans to pursue a degree in nursing.
School. She is proud to be a first-year Pirette. In her free time, Addisyn enjoys playing softball and
spending time with her family and friends. After high school, she plans to pursue a degree in nursing.
Nellie Vega is a freshman at Beaufort High School. She is an active student-athlete, participating in
softball, cheerleading, and even trying her hand at tennis this year. Nellie is passionate about
volunteering and giving back to her community, and she enjoys being involved in various school clubs.
This is Nellie’s first year as a Pirette.
softball, cheerleading, and even trying her hand at tennis this year. Nellie is passionate about
volunteering and giving back to her community, and she enjoys being involved in various school clubs.
This is Nellie’s first year as a Pirette.
Easton Woods, daughter of John and Erica Woods, is a freshman at Bridges Preparatory School. Outside
of school, she enjoys dancing, swimming, hunting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
After high school, Easton plans to attend Clemson University to major in Biology.
of school, she enjoys dancing, swimming, hunting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
After high school, Easton plans to attend Clemson University to major in Biology.
