Four outstanding graduates of Richland One schools have been selected by the school board as 2005 inductees to the district’s Hall of Fame:

• I.S. Leevy Johnson graduated from C.A. Johnson High School (1960), Benedict College (BS, 1965), University of Minnesota (AA, Mortuary Science, 1967), and USC School of Law (JD, 1968). Johnson was one of the first three African Americans elected to the SC General Assembly since Reconstruction and was a founding member of the Legislative Black Caucus. He was chairman of the board of Trustees of SC State University (1980–1990) and president of the SC Bar in 1985. In 2002, he founded Carolina National Bank.

• Lt. Col. George D. “Marty” Martin graduated from Lower Richland High School (1979), Presbyterian College (BS, 1983), and was commissioned second lieutenant in the US Army in 1983. He commanded and led troops at every level of tactical leadership from platoon leader to battalion commander. Martin was awarded the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Legion of Merit. He served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Martin was assigned to be the commander of Joint Task Force Full Accounting in Vietnam when he died in a helicopter crash over central Vietnam preparing to do excavation flights in search of MIAs from the Vietnam War.

• Celia Phelps Martin graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (1937), Benedict College (BA, honors, 1941), and SC State University (MA, 1955). She was teacher, head teacher, and principal at Perrin Thomas Elementary School; principal of Waverley Kindergarten, and principal of Sarah Nance Elementary School. Martin retired in 1982 after 41 years of service to Richland One. Since retiring, she has worked diligently as a volunteer with the BTW Foundation, the Wheeler Hill Neighborhood Association, Carver Elementary School, Hyatt Park Elementary School, and the Taylor’s Community. Martin founded the Palmetto Cemetery Association in 1979 and served as treasurer for 15 years.

• Jean Hoefer Toal graduated from Dreher High School (1961), Agnes Scott College (BA, 1965), and the USC School of Law (JD, 1968). While in law school, she was managing editor of the SC Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif, USC Mortar Board, and Phi Beta Kappa. Toal served as associate attorney with the Haynesworth Law Firm (1968–1979) and as a partner with Belser, Baker, Barwick, Ravenel, and Bender Law Firm (1979–1988). She served in the SC House of Representatives (1975–1988), and in 1988 was the first woman ever elected to the SC Supreme Court. In 2000. she was elected Chief Justice of the SC Supreme Court.

The banquet honoring the 2005 Hall of Fame members will be held November 5, 2005, at the Columbia Convention Center.