Irmo, SC – Irmo High School International School for the Arts in partnership with the Irmo High School Education Foundation has selected members for its 2020 Hall of Fame.
The inductees are: Kelvin Davis, Dr. Glenda George, Thornton Kirby, Major General Van McCarty, Phil Spotts and Joseph Turbeville.
The inductees were selected for the Hall of Fame by Irmo High School in partnership with the Irmo High School Education Foundation. They are either graduates or former faculty/staff of Irmo High School who have made a significant contribution to their community, state or country in their careers after leaving Irmo High School.
Irmo High School’s 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the Center for the Arts at Irmo High School International School for the Arts February 21, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The school’s National Honor Society induction ceremony will also take place during this event. The event is open to the community. RSVP by Friday, February 14 to Amy Smith at absmith3@lexrich5.org or 803-476-3011.
“It’s going to be a great event,” said Irmo High School International School for the Arts Principal Dr. Robin Hardy. “The Hall of Fame and the National Honor Society induction allows us to reconnect with our champions of excellence and to remind our student body and community of Irmo’s stellar past and bright future.”
Kelvin Davis is a 2005 graduate of Irmo High School. Since graduating from Irmo High, Davis became a middle school art teacher and coach where he served as a positive role model for all ages. He created Notoriously Dapper, a body positive men’s fashion blog; wrote a book; and began a modeling career. His book was published in 2017 and was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literacy Work/Instructional.
Dr. Glenda George taught at Irmo High School from 1984 to 2000. During her time at Irmo High, she taught AP and Honors Biology, was co-chair of the Science Department, and was the Science Team Coach for the Irmo High School Science Team. Her love for her students, her dedication to Irmo, her command of the subject she taught, and her competitive spirit are just some of the characteristics that made her an excellent educator. In 2009, George was named the Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Thornton Kirby graduated from Irmo High School in 1983. While attending Irmo High, he was student body president, Mr. Irmo, and a two-sport athlete. After graduating, he attended the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and a government major. He then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. He has had an astounding impact on health care in South Carolina and nationwide. Thornton Kirby is the President and CEO of the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), a role he has held since 2005. Under Kirby’s leadership, SCHA has been an advocate for patients as well as hospitals, earning a national reputation for statewide improvements in quality and safety. Under his leadership, South Carolina was the first state to establish “Certified Zero Harm Awards,” which are given annually to hospitals that can demonstrate at least 12 consecutive months without certain types of harm.
Major General Van McCarty is a 1978 graduate of Irmo High School. He currently serves as the 29th Adjutant General for South Carolina and head of the South Carolina Military Department. He administers the affairs of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard, the Emergency Management Division, the State Guard, and the Youth Challenge Academy. McCarty’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal, with Four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and Two Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal, with Bronze Star; Afghanistan Campaign Medal, with Bronze Star; Iraqi Campaign Medal, with Bronze Star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with Silver Hour Glass Device, with M Device Second Award; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon with Second Award; NATO Medal; the SC Meritorious Service Medal; SC Active State Service Medal with one Silver Star; SC Achievement Ribbon; SC Mobilization Ribbon.
Phil Spotts became principal of Irmo High School in 1968 at age 33. Immediately he faced the challenges of navigating the school through integration and a huge growth in enrollment. He also oversaw the massive facilities expansion of that era including the football stadium, activities arena, track, and the addition of the second floor. His vision for what a high school should be, sense of purpose, strong character, fantastic organizational skills, and amazing people skills led Irmo High through a highly successful period in turbulent times. Spotts served in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Newberry College. He received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Newberry College in 2010. Spotts is also a member of the Newberry Rotary Club, and he has served on the Board of Directors for the Newberry Opera House, Newberry Chamber of Commerce and Newberry Investing in Children's Education.
Joseph Turbeville became Irmo High School’s Head Football coach and Athletic Director in 1978. Over the next sixteen years Coach Turbeville built an athletic program at Irmo that was awarded numerous times with the Wachovia Cup for overall excellence. Turbeville won five state titles in his 28 years of coaching. He won three with Spring Valley High School and one each at Irmo and Winnsboro. He was inducted into the SC Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014. Turbeville is also a member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame, where he graduated from in 1963. He passed away in January 2016.
The Irmo High School Hall of Fame inducted their inaugural class in 2017.
