Distinguished Alumni Awards Program
Anderson School District Five has graduated many deserving young men and women who have gone on to make their school, district, and hometown proud. We look forward to many more years of bestowing this honor on its alumni.
If you know someone who deserves this honor, click on the school logo(s) below to complete and submit a nomination form. A winner who attended Reed Street will receive the award at Westside's graduation ceremonies. A winner who attended Boys or Girls High School will receive the award at T.L. Hanna graduation ceremonies. A winner who attended McDuffie High School will receive the award at the A5 Back-to-School Celebration Ceremony at the start of each school year.
↓ Click the SCHOOL LOGOS below to nominate! ↓
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2024 Distinguished Alumni Recipients
Patrick, Davis named 2024 A5 Distinguished Alumni
Andy Patrick - Westside High School (1992)
Mr. Andrew J. “Andy” Patrick, III, a 1992 graduate of Westside High School. While at Westside, Andy was a student-athlete on the Varsity Cross Country and Track teams. He ran All-Conference for both teams; including the 3200m and 1600m All-Conference in Track in 1992 and was named Most Valuable Runner for both Cross Country (1990, 1991) and Track (1991). He ran All-State in Cross Country (1990, 1991), ran in the Cross Country State Championship in 1991 where he placed Fourth overall, and was selected for the Shrine Bowl Cross Country team in 1991. None of this would have been possible if Mr. Patrick had not played a monumental role in reinstating the Westside High School Cross Country team in 1989. Andy’s illustrious Cross Country and Track career came to a culmination his Senior year of high school; receiving the Boys Track Most Points Award, Golden Heart Award, and Senior Athletic Award. In 1992, he won the Tri-County and Region 1600m, Tri-County, Region, & Upper Sate 3200m; and tied for 3rd place in the State Championship 3200m. Upon graduating from Westside High School, Andy was the first ever recipient of a scholarship to run Cross Country at Erskine College. Mr. Patrick earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Erskine College and is the President of Attaway Printing, Inc. in Anderson.
An Anderson native, Andy has been highly regarded and acclaimed for his commitment to his community and has received several honors and awards including the inaugural Anderson Independent Mail “20 Under 40” awards, Erskine College Outstanding Alumni Award, United Way of Anderson’s Campaign Cabinet Volunteer of the Year award and is a 2023 Inductee in the Westside High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He has completed various leadership programs through the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Anderson, as well as the AnMed Ambassador Program. Andy continues his community activism serving with and on various boards and organizations. He is the Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Anderson, 12-year member and current Chairman of the Anderson Area YMCA Board of Directors, Chairman of the Anderson Five Educational Foundation, and is a current Board member of the Anderson School District Five Board of Trustees. An avid fisherman, Andy also Coaches the T.L. Hanna Bass Fishing Team. He and his family are members of First Presbyterian Church of Anderson, where Andy serves as a Deacon.
It is evident that Mr. Patrick leads a life of success rooted in service above self. Despite his many noble accomplishments, Andy recognizes his #1 life accomplishment as convincing his beautiful wife, Angi, to marry him! Andy and Angi are the proud parents of sixteen-year-old twins: Drew and Emmy Lou – who attend Anderson Five schools.
Lt. Commander Amy Davis - T.L. Hanna High School (2007)
Lieutenant Commander Amy Davis, a 2007 graduate of T.L. Hanna High School. While at T.L. Hanna, Amy was a student-athlete and played on JV and Varsity teams for both Soccer and Volleyball, and was also a member of the Swimming Team. During her Soccer career, Amy was recognized as JV MVP, Defensive MVP, Upstate All-Area Team Defender, Varsity All-Area First String Pick, and received the Varsity Coach’s Award. She served as a Team Captain for the Soccer team, played on the Westside All-Tournament Team, and was selected to play in the 2007 North-South Soccer Classic.
Amy was active in her school community both on and off the field. She served as treasurer for the Rotary Club, President of the Unity Club, was involved with TLH Student Government and was a featured “Who’s Who” among her peers. She also was selected to participate in Palmetto Girls State. Equally devoted to academics, Amy was named an Outstanding Jacket for Varsity Volleyball for maintaining the highest academic average on the team, was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, and was selected as a Commencement Marshall for ranking in the top 14 of her Junior class academically. Amy graduated as an AP Scholar with Distinction, received the Stephen D. Horne Memorial Scholarship, and was recognized as the only member of the 2007 T.L. Hanna graduating class to earn an appointment to a service academy.
Lt. Commander Davis attended the United States Naval Academy where she was a 4-year Varsity Letter Winner on the Navy Varsity Women’s Crew Team. She made the Superintendent’s List for seven semesters of her academic career for maintaining a GPA of 3.4 or higher, graduated in the top 15% of her class (consisting of over 1,000 students), and was 1 of 30 Company Commanders in the entire student body to lead 150 Midshipmen during her Senior year. Lt. Commander Davis earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2019.
Lt. Commander Davis completed and graduated flight training at the top of her class, earning Naval Aviator Wing’s of Gold in December 2012. She was stationed in Guam at Helicopter Sea Combat Two Five (HSC-25) where she completed two Pacific deployments and earned all professional and tactical qualifications. She earned Instructor of the Year in 2018 for her contributions to her future generations of Naval Aviators after instructing over 2,500 students over three years while in Pensacola, Florida, and was hand-selected to become a Flag Aide for a 1-star Admiral while station in Bahrain from 2020-2021.
Lieutenant Commander Amy Davis is currently stationed in San Diego, California as the Maintenance Department Head for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two One (HSC-21), where she is in charge of 350 personnel, 14 MH-60S helicopters, and 3 MQ-8C unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). During her current tour (HSC-21) she has successfully completed a 7-month deployment as the Officer in Charge (OIC) in the Pacific on board USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18) from December 2022-June 2023).
Lt. Commander Davis was recently hand-selected to become the Executive Officer (2nd in Command) at Naval Air Station Key West for the Station Search and Rescue unit in Key West, Florida beginning at the end of this year.
Amy attributes a lot of her career and personal success to the community of Anderson and Anderson School District Five, which laid the foundation for her to achieve her wildest dreams. She has lived and traveled all over the world – to include living in Guam and Bahrain – but, an Andersonian at heart, Amy says that there is no place like “home!” As proud as we all are of Lt. Commander Davis, she is equally proud to say she is an Anderson native and sure represents us well in all her life’s endeavors.
2023 Distinguished Alumni Recipients
Kubu, Shirley, and Bowman named 2023 A5 Distinguished Alumni
Captain Justin Kubu - Westside High School (1991)
His sea duty assignments include the Commissioning crew in USS COLE where he completed a single long tour serving as Strike Officer, Damage Control Assistant and Weapons Officer. Upon completion of Department Head School, he reported to USS LASSEN in 2002 where he served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer.
Captain Kubu reported to USS CHAFEE as Executive Officer in 2009. He assumed command of CHAFEE in 2011. While in command, he completed a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. During his command tour, CHAFEE was awarded the Battle Effectiveness award for operational excellence.
In August of 2017, Captain Kubu assumed command of USS PRINCETON while deployed to the Arabian Gulf. During his tour he concurrently served as the Air and Missile Defense Commander for the NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group.
He assumed command of Amphibious Squadron SEVEN in July 2022.
Ashore, he served on the CNO Staff as a campaign analyst in Assessments Division and as a warfighting capabilities analyst in the Force Structure, Resources and Assessment Directorate of the Joint Staff. He served as the Director for Fleet Training at Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, Rhode Island. He was Executive Assistant to Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center. Most recently, Captain Kubu served as the Director for Operations/N3 on the staff of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet August 2019 until May 2022.
He attended the Naval Postgraduate School, earning a Master of Science Operations Research in 2001. In 2014, Captain Kubu earned a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, graduating with distinction.
His personal awards include two Legion of Merit awards, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and two Navy Achievement Medals.
Richard Shirley - T.L. Hanna High School (1974)
Mr. Richard Alan Shirley was a 1972 graduate of T.L. Hanna High School. While at T.L. Hanna, Richard served as Stu
dent Body Vice President, Thespian Society member, Sports Editor for The Yellow Jacket, WAIM Radio Color Announcer for Yellow Jacket Football, and was a featured “Who’s Who” among his peers. Richard was also the recipient of both the Prince Ring, and the Hall Journalism Ring as a T.L. Hanna student – two accomplishments which were very rare to obtain concurrently.
Mr. Shirley obtained an Associate Degree from Anderson College in 1975, and graduated from Presbyterian College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was also a 1985 graduate of the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Richard was Vice President and City Executive of the Anderson Office of the National Bank of South Carolina. Prior to joining NBSC, he worked for BB&T and C&S National Bank here in Anderson.
Perhaps most notable of Mr. Shirley is his service to Anderson. At just twenty-three years of age, Richard was first elected to Anderson City Council in 1978 – he remains the youngest person ever elected to this body in the history of the city. After serving five terms on City Council, Richard was elected Mayor in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. He completed his service to the city in June 2006. In 2010, Mr. Shirley was appointed to Clerk of Court for Anderson County and won re-election for three consecutive terms, the most recent being 2020.
Highly regarded and acclaimed for his compassionate leadership and devotion to his community, Richard holds many honors, awards and recognitions including Alumni Service Awards from both Anderson University and Presbyterian College. Mr. Shirley was named the 1994 Outstanding Young Banker by the South Carolina Bankers Association – the highest honor bestowed by this organization.
Mr. Shirley prioritized each one of his involvements and contributions and faithfully served several associations, boards and committees including Board of Directors for Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, Anderson’s Soirée Festival, South Carolina Banking School, Freedom Weekend Aloft, Anderson Red Cross, Anderson University Board of Visitors and Presbyterian College Board of Trustees.
It is evident that Mr. Shirley leaves behind a legacy of a true, compassionate leader who was devoted to his community.
Clifford Bowman was born in 1949 to Horace and Mary Bowman who resided in the Orr Mill Textile village. This one bedroom house was the home to his mother, 2 siblings, and 2 grandparents. Clifford’s father died in 1950 leaving his mother to provide for the family. At Orr Mill the family was helped by many neighbors and the Orrville Baptist Church, who would bring “pounding” (boxes of groceries) and the leaders in the church would take him shopping for clothes. The mill’s leaders provided the “mill hill” children with recreation including a swimming pool, a gym, ball fields, scouts, and other activities such as an annual Christmas party, where they gave the mill employee’s children gifts.
Clifford enlisted in the Air Force which proved to be the turning point in his life. In the Air Force he was attached to the 2012 Communication Squadron at Seymore Johnson Air Force base where he won the “Airman of the Year” and then went to Vietnam where he served a year. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5).
After receiving an “early out” of the USAF of six months to begin college, Clifford was accepted at Anderson College and graduated in 1974. He continued his education at Clemson with a degree in financial management where he graduated in 1976.
Clifford was offered a job as a tax auditor with the SC Tax Commission but soon decided to pursue his certificate as a certified public accountant. With his CPA, Clifford left the state and opened his own firm in Anderson in 1985.
Clifford served on the board with the YMCA, the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, the allocation committee with the United Way, the Anderson County Junior Golf Association, and delivered for Meals on Wheels. He is a member of the Anderson Sertoma Club and served the Wounded Marines for many years arranging fishing trips for the veterans and active service member. ” He volunteered over fifteen years with the Outdoor Dream Foundation, an organization founded by Harold and Brad Jones to provide world class hunting and fishing events for children who had been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. While serving the Outdoor Dream Foundation Clifford lead the effort to raise the necessary funds to purchase a tri-toon boat to serve those children that were confined to wheel chairs. This boat was designed especially for those wheel-chair bound individuals giving them a sense of safety while on the lake.
Clifford was awarded the Dr. R. C. Edwards fan of the year award in 2002 for Clemson Basketball for his role in recruiting the Clemson Basketball team to come to Anderson and spend some time with the children at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club.
Clifford’s major accomplishments were real estate related. He was a partner that developed eight waterfront subdivisions.
2022 Distinguished Alumni Recipients
Norris, Tucker named 2022 A5 Distinguished Alumni
Mr. Alphonso “Jody” Norris III, is a 1981 graduate of Westside High School. While at Westside, Mr. Norris was a student-athlete playing football at wide receiver and defensive end, running track (high jump, triple jump and 220 yard dash,) and a member of Westside’s inaugural soccer team as an inside striker.
After graduating from South Carolina State University and obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mr. Norris’ career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) soon began in 1990. During his time with the FBI, Jody served in a multitude of capacities, including Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the Charlotte Field Office, FBI Program Director for Domestic Security Alliance Council in Washington, D.C., and Section Chief for Executive Development and Selection Program. His areas of expertise included Complex Investigations, Crisis Management and Response, Fraud Prevention, Economic Espionage and Insider Threat Mitigation, Cyber and Information Security and Process Reengineering.Before retiring in 2020, Mr. Norris was Special Agent in Charge (SAC) in the Columbia Field Office, tasked with overseeing the South Carolina field organization, including the Columbia headquarters, along with eight resident agencies across the state. Jody managed all related operational, administrative, and financial and security functions in addition to directing daily operations encompassing National Security and Criminal Investigative Programs. He is credited for having elevated the Criminal Investigative program to one of the highest-performing programs of any field office in the FBI, taking a marginally performing program to one of the top five out of the more than 50 field offices. Some of his other most notable contributions in this role include rebranding the Crisis Management Program for the FBI’s Houston Division and White-Collar Crime Branch, and leading the development of one of two standalone FBI Cyber/Security Branches. He is also responsible for having orchestrated the planning and execution of security operations for some of the highest-profile events, such as the Kentucky Derby, NCAA Final Four, NFL Super Bowl 51, Hurricane Harvey recovery and response, and the MLB World Series.
Acclaimed for his efforts and performance over the course of his tenure, Jody has received honors and awards including: Southeast Region Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Case of the Year (2003), National Organized Crime Enforcement Case of the Year (2000), and a nomination for FBI Director’s Award for Excellence in Investigation (2000).
It is obvious that Mr. Norris’ 30-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation distinguishes him for not only propelling himself forward, but also for making advancements and taking the FBI to greater heights as well. He is an incredible testament to our school district and Westside High School.
Johnny Tucker - T.L. Hanna High School (1969)
A member of the 1969 T.L. Hanna High School graduating class, Mr. John William Tucker, "Johnny," served as an active member of the student body as Junior Class Secretary.
Mr. Tucker graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1973 with a degree in Political Science. At the start of his career, Mr. Tucker served as an Administrative Assistant for both the fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office as well as the 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1984. During his twelve years as a representative, Mr. Tucker was First Vice Chairman for both the Judiciary Committee and the Rules Committee, and Chairman of the Crime Study Committee. He also served on the Health Care and Oversight Committee, Joint Appropriations Review Committee, and Prosecution Coordination Commission. At the end of his tenure as a State Legislator in 1996, Mr. Tucker became Chief of Staff for the 13th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office and served in this capacity until 2010.
Highly regarded and acclaimed for his contributions to the State of South Carolina, Johnny holds many honors, awards and recognitions, including a Certificate of Merit for “Mothers against Drunk Driving.” Mr. Tucker was named the 1993-1994 Legislator of the Year for Appalachian Health District 1, and received a Legislative Award for Vocation Rehabilitation in 1994. Perhaps the most notable though, is the 1996 Legislative Resolution passed by the South Carolina General Assembly in his honor, which designated a portion of Highway 81 North in Anderson County as the “John W. Tucker, Jr. Highway” as a continuing tribute to his years of service to his community and state. Mr. Tucker is also a 1997 recipient of the prestigious Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
Mr. Tucker prioritized his involvement and contributions not only at the state-level, but at the local-level as well. John has faithfully served several associations, boards and committees including: South Carolina Heritage Trust Advisory Board, Anderson Area Medical Center Board of Trustees, Anderson Area Transportation Committee, Anderson Vocation Rehabilitation, Rotary Club of Anderson, Clemson University Board of Visitors, Friends of Anderson Museum, and Kiwanis Club of Anderson. Additionally, The Supreme Court of South Carolina appointed John as a public member of the South Carolina Judicial Conduct Commission in 2014. He remains engrained in his community as an AnMed Health Trustee Emeritus and member of Central Presbyterian Church in Anderson.
2021 Distinguished Alumni Recipients
Roberts, Boseman named 2021 A5 Distinguished Alumni
Terence Roberts - Westside High School (1978)
The Honorable Mayor Roberts was a member of the Westside Class of 1978 and during his time at Westside he was a 3 sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. He was recognized as an All-star basketball player and even received a Division 1 basketball scholarship. In addition to his athletic ability while at Westside, Mayor Roberts was the student body Treasurer, Vice President and President. After graduation, Mr. Roberts went to college at Winthrop University and graduated with a degree in Marketing. He then started and still runs a successful insurance business in Anderson.
Mayor Roberts is an Anderson Native who has been in the forefront of the business and public service for more than 30 years. He has served on boards and commissions across the spectrum from caring for displaced children to chairing the Chamber of Commerce Board. Mayor Roberts has also served many other organization such as the Salvation Army, President of the SC Municipal Association, United Way, Anderson University Board of Visitors, and the AnMEd Board of Trustees. This is not an exhaustive list of the many organizations that have utilized his talents.
Mayor Roberts explains his reason for community involvement using a passage from a book by Vernon Jordan that says, “If you are not at the table then you are not represented." Mayor Roberts has represented well.
Mr. Roberts was first elected Anderson Mayor in 2006 and has diligently served the community through his 4 terms. He is actively making sure Anderson is a healthier place to live, work and play through his efforts to build a walkable, bikeable and more mobile community. The Mayor reflects that being Mayor is exciting, challenging, frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. Mayor Roberts also recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Anderson University. Mayor Roberts attributes his strong work ethic and morals to his parents and he is often heard mentioning one of his mom’s favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln “It’s surprising what you can get accomplished if you don’t care who gets credit”.
Congratulations to Mayor Terrence Roberts, Anderson Five's first Westside High School Distinguished Alumni recipient. He is pictured here with son Jay, also an A5 Alumnus.
Chadwick Boseman - T.L. Hanna High School (1995)
A member of the 1995 graduating class, actor, director, and playwright Chadwick Boseman was the winner of the first Distinguished Alumni award given to a T.L. Hanna High School graduate. It was awarded posthumously, following his death in August 2020 from colon cancer, and presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Boseman of Anderson, at the ceremony.Mr. Boseman was a talented student-athlete while at Hanna, playing on the basketball team and participating on the speech and debate team. He was recruited to play college basketball, but chose instead to pursue his passion for the arts. He went on to Howard University in Washington, D.C., earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing in 2000. He then attended and graduated New York City's Digital Film Academy. As a writer, director, and actor on New York's stages, he won a Drama League Directing Fellowship, an AUDELCO award, and was nominated for a Jeff Award as playwright for Deep Azure. He moved to Los Angeles where he starred in several films while continuing to direct.He portrayed baseball legend Jackin Robinson in the movie 42; James Brown in Get on Up; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall; and, perhaps most famously for Anderson children, superhero T'Challa, in Marvel Comics' The Black Panther movies in 2016 and 2018. Black Panther was the first superhero film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. He was voted one of Time Magazine's 100 of the World's Most Influential People. His final film released posthumously, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama. Boseman also received four nominations for a Screen Actors Guild award for his work in Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the most for a performer at a single ceremony, winning Best Male Actor in a leading role for Ma Rainey.While Mr. Boseman had many talents in the motion picture realm, some of his greatest accomplishments were his humanitarian work, which he continued working on despite his colon cancer diagnosis in 2016. He supported cancer charities including St. Jude's Hospital, children's charities, and the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem. He once said, "You never go wrong when you invest in kids' futures." He leaves behind a legacy as an example of someone who used their fame to do good for others.