The Danville Public Schools Hall of Fame has announced its inaugural Hall of Fame class ahead of its first Hall of Fame luncheon in October.

The DPS Hall of Fame seeks to honor alumni and retired staff members who are noted for high levels of achievement in his/her field of endeavor and who make significant contributions to that field. These honored alumni and staff are people who exemplify the tradition of excellence cultivated at Danville Public Schools. This program of recognition will reinforce to the students of Danville Public Schools the importance of a sound educational foundation and provide positive role models for the students.

Danville Public Schools Hall of Fame: Where Greatness Lives On will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 12 p.m. at George Washington High School. Inductees will also be honored during the pregame of the GWHS Homecoming football game against Bassett High School on October 10.

This event is open to the public, and tickets are on sale on Eventbrite for $50 per person or $500 for a table at dpshalloffame2025.eventbrite.com.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Danville Public Schools Education Foundation. The DPS Education Foundation’s vision is to cultivate a thriving educational environment for all, in partnership with Danville Public Schools. They aim to empower educators by providing resources that elevate teaching, engage students by funding programs that spark curiosity and growth, and collaborate with the community by building partnerships that enrich learning for everyone.

Inductees for the inaugural Danville Public Schools Hall of Fame include:
George Washington High School Inductees for 2025
● Ruby B. Archie
● J.W. “Bill” Bolton, Sr.
● Tiffany Harrison Bradshaw
● Dave Cumbo, Jr.
● Ferrell Edmunds Jr.
● Mark Gignac
● Harry Johnson
● Robert Q. Jones
● Kenneth Lewis
● Herman Moore
● Anne Moore-Sparks
● Johnny Newman
● Alger Pugh
● Reginald Purvis
● Angela “Mecca” Redmon
● Clara Lee Ripley
● Lawrence “Lefty” Wilson
● Tammy Wright-Warren
● Guy K. Yeatts
● 1985 Girls Varsity Basketball State Championship Team and Coach Linda Burns
Lisa Venters, Joyce Guy, Fedora Holdness, Deanna Hall, Toni Jacobs, Daisy Allen (captain), Kelly Stutz, Vidette Slade, Sonya Averett (manager), Felecia Hiett (captain), Angela Molloy, Mailette Hairston, Jerri Haymore, Bonita Osborne, Rhonda Mitchell, Melvina Hairston, Melissa Mead, Karen Doby (manager)

Langston High School Inductees for 2025

● Dr. Howard “Hank” Allen

● Claudius “C.B.” Claiborne

● Xelia Hickson

● Percy Miller, Jr.

● James “Jim” Halcot Mitchell

● Eloyd Robinson

● Judge Dale M. Wiley

● Camilla Williams

● Kirby Wright

Galileo Magnet High School Inductee for 2025

● Philipp Kotlaba

Dr. Howard “Hank” Allen
Dr. Allen began his career at John M. Langston High School as a teacher and coach for basketball and baseball. From 1952 to 1969, his teams dominated Virginia, securing numerous district and state championships. In 1969, he joined the University of Virginia’s Consultative Research Center, supporting schools through desegregation. In recognition of his impact, Langston High School named its gymnasium in his honor in 2011.

Ruby B. Archie
Ruby Archie dedicated 37 years to Danville Public Schools, leading the English Departments at Langston High School and George Washington High School. She served on Danville City Council from 1994 to 2010 and made history as the city’s first female mayor from 1998 to 2000. In 2018, the Danville Public Library was renamed the Ruby B. Archie Public Library to honor her legacy.

Tiffany Harrison Bradshaw
A 1993 graduate of George Washington High School, Tiffany Harrison Bradshaw built a distinguished 22-year career at Boeing. She held executive roles including Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for Air Dominance programs, overseeing major Strike-Fighter and Bomber portfolios. Harrison holds an MBA and a BA in Economics and Sociology from the University of Virginia and currently resides in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

J.W. “Bill” Bolton, Sr. (Athletics)
A 1951 George Washington graduate, Bill Bolton set scoring records as a standout basketball player. After earning a full scholarship to Virginia Tech, he returned to Danville to lead Simpson Realty Company for nearly five decades. Bolton also guided local baseball leagues to multiple Regional Championships, leaving a lasting mark in athletics and business.

Claudius “C.B.” Claiborne
C.B. Claiborne, Langston Class of 1965, made history as Duke University’s first African-American men’s basketball player, supported by a presidential scholarship. He graduated with an engineering degree in 1969 and pursued advanced studies at Dartmouth, Washington University in St. Louis, and Virginia Tech. Claiborne later became a professor at Texas Southern University’s business school.

Dave Cumbo, Jr.
A 1984 graduate of George Washington High School, Dave Cumbo was part of the undefeated 1982 Virginia State Champion football team. He earned a full academic scholarship to the College of William and Mary, where he played football and graduated with degrees in Economics and Anthropology. Cumbo later served in the U.S. Army and earned an MBA from Averett University. He has held leadership roles at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and currently serves as Manufacturing Director in Danville.

Ferrell Edmunds, Jr.
Ferrell Edmunds, Jr., a member of George Washington’s Class of 1983, was the starting tight end on the undefeated 1982 Virginia State Champion football team. He became an All-ACC player at the University of Maryland before embarking on a seven-year NFL career with the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks, including two Pro Bowl appearances. Now based in Danville, Edmunds develops real estate and supports local youth through coaching and charitable work.

Mark Gignac
Mark Gignac, from George Washington’s Class of 1974, graduated from Virginia Tech with a marketing degree. He co-founded EDS, an electronics manufacturing company in Danville serving over 2,000 clients for nearly 35 years. Later, Gignac served as Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, remaining active in economic development until his retirement.

Xelia Hickson
Langston Class of 1953 graduate Xelia Hickson earned a BA in Music Education from Bluefield State University, a Master’s in Early Childhood Development from Lynchburg College, and a PhD from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. She taught music and choral arts at George Washington High School for 37 years before dedicating herself to ministry and radio broadcasting. Hickson is a longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, NAACP, and The Links, Incorporated.

Harry Johnson
Harry Johnson, Langston Class of 1957, played professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization before serving in the U.S. Army. He then dedicated his career to education and coaching at George Washington High School, where he won 348 games and led teams to multiple district titles and a state championship in 1996. Johnson holds the record as GW’s all-time winningest basketball coach.

Robert Q. Jones
After graduating from Elon College in 1970, Robert “Q” Jones began a 40-year teaching career at George Washington High School, specializing in AP Government, Street Law, and Geography. He also built one of Virginia’s top high school golf programs, leading teams to nine district titles, four regional titles, and a state championship in 1977. With 440 career wins, Jones ranks third all-time in VHSL history and is GW’s longest-tenured coach.
Philipp Kotlaba Philipp Kotlaba is a graduate of Galileo Magnet High School (’08), Virginia Tech (’12), and Yale Law School (’15). He currently works in The Hague for the International Court of Justice, supporting the senior judge. Previously, Kotlaba served five years at the U.S. State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser and began his legal career in private practice in Washington and London.

Kenneth Lewis
A 1976 graduate of George Washington High School, Kenneth Lewis earned a football scholarship to Virginia Tech, where he was an All-American in football and track and received the Army ROTC Monteith Award. Drafted in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL Draft by Oakland, he played four seasons with the New York Jets. After retiring, Lewis returned to Danville to teach and later serve as principal at GW. He founded the Danville Church-Based Tutorial Program in 1996.

Percy Miller, Jr.
Danville native and Langston graduate Percy Miller was the first African-American to play in the Carolina League with the Danville Leafs in 1951. An outstanding multi-sport athlete, he played for the Danville All-Stars before opening doors for other African-American players in minor league baseball, paving the way for future major league athletes.

James “Jim” Halcot Mitchell
James Mitchell, Langston Class of 1966, was a standout in football and track. At Virginia State College, he was a four-year starter and named Small College All-American. In 1970, Mitchell became the highest NFL draft pick in Virginia State College history when selected by the Detroit Lions.

Herman Moore
A member of George Washington’s Class of 1987, Herman Moore was a two-time All-American wide receiver at the University of Virginia. He enjoyed a 12-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions and New York Giants, earning four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors. Moore has been inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. He is currently Founder and CEO of Team 84, LLC, and leads The Herman Moore Tackle Life Foundation.

Anne Moore-Sparks
Anne Moore-Sparks, George Washington Class of 1983, has dedicated her career to Danville’s growth, serving both Danville Public Schools and the city’s Office of Economic Development. As President & CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce, she advances business advocacy, workforce development, and regional leadership initiatives, playing a key role in revitalizing Danville’s downtown and historic districts.

Johnny Newman
Johnny Newman graduated from George Washington High School in 1982 and led the Richmond Spiders to their first two NCAA tournaments. He remains the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,383 points. Drafted 29th overall in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Newman scored 12,740 points in a 17-year NBA career, playing for six teams and setting a franchise record with the Charlotte Hornets.

Alger Pugh
Coach Alger Pugh led George Washington High School’s football team from 1964 to 1983, transforming it into a state powerhouse. His teams reached the state championship game three times, winning titles in 1968 and 1982. Pugh’s career record includes 165 wins, 11 Western District Championships, and four Northwest Regional Championships.

Reginald Purvis
Reginald Purvis served Danville Public Schools for 33 years, leading the band program at George Washington High School to numerous accolades, including superior awards and state championships. Inducted into the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2018, Purvis currently directs Fine Arts Instructional Support (Music) for Danville Public Schools and works as a guest conductor and clinician.

Angela “Mecca” Redmon
A 1995 graduate of George Washington High School, Angela “Mecca” Redmon is an acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, and author. Her voice helped define a key era in hip-hop, featuring on Jay-Z’s platinum-certified Reasonable Doubt and AZ’s gold-certified Doe or Die. In 2025, she published Feelin’ It: A Hip-Hop Memoir, offering an inspiring and candid account of her music industry journey.

Clara Lee Ripley
Clara Lee Ripley, a member of George Washington’s Class of 1957, attended Longwood College where she excelled in tennis, field hockey, and basketball, earning the highest athletic honors. She taught Health and PE at GW for nearly 30 years and restarted the Girls Varsity Basketball, Tennis, and Track programs. Over the past 30 years, Ripley has competed in 18 sports at the Senior and Commonwealth Games, earning 240 medals.

Eloyd Robinson
Eloyd Robinson, a standout athlete at Langston, led the Lions to state championships in football (1949) and basketball (1950). He played for the legendary Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, and later became the third African-American to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Robinson also played professional baseball in Canada before retiring in 1961 and pursuing careers in corrections, security, and property management.

Judge Dale M. Wiley Langston Class of 1970 graduate Dale M. Wiley earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He began his legal career at the Civil Aeronautics Board and helped open Danville’s first Legal Aid Office. Wiley later practiced law privately before becoming the first African-American judge in the 22nd Judicial District in 1998, serving Danville, Pittsylvania, and Franklin Counties.

Camilla Williams
Camilla Williams, Langston Class of 1937, was the first African-American soprano to perform in mainstream opera companies. She starred in iconic productions such as Madama Butterfly and La Boheme and sang the National Anthem at the 1963 March on Washington. Williams later became Indiana University’s first African-American voice faculty member. Danville honors her legacy with a park and a Virginia State University residence hall named in her honor.

Lawrence “Lefty” Wilson
A native of Dunn, North Carolina, Lawrence “Lefty” Wilson attended UNC Chapel Hill, where he played baseball and led the team to a state championship as a junior. After graduation, he moved to Danville to play professional baseball and began coaching at George Washington High School. Over a 40-year coaching career, Wilson led GW to five state championships, including three titles, and helped establish youth baseball leagues. Langston named a field in his honor.

Kirby Wright
Kirby Wright, a member of Langston’s Class of 1952, dedicated 37 years to Pittsylvania County Schools as a teacher, social worker, and administrator, retiring as Director of Alternative Education in 1996. He later worked at Danville Community College before founding RC Wright Group Home (now Negril, Inc.), providing care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Wright also launched Right Choice Car Wash and W&W Luxury Limousine Service.

Tammy Wright-Warren
Tammy Wright-Warren, George Washington Class of 1981, serves as Chief Operating Officer at Negril and co-owns W&W Luxury Limousine Service LLC. A community leader, she has served on numerous boards and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Averett University, following studies in Accounting at Johnson C. Smith University.

Guy K. Yeatts
Guy K. Yeatts, a WWII Navy veteran and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, began his career with Danville Public Schools in 1963 as a teacher at George Washington High School. After serving as assistant principal, he was named Assistant Superintendent, a role he held until retirement. Yeatts is remembered for his unwavering support of DPS staff throughout their careers.

1985 Girls Varsity Basketball State Championship Team
In 1985, George Washington’s Girls Varsity Basketball team won the state championship under Coach Linda Burns. Key players included captains Daisy Allen and Felecia Hiett, alongside Lisa Venters, Joyce Guy, Fedora Holdness, Deanna Hall, Toni Jacobs, Kelly Stutz, Vidette Slade, Angela Molloy, Mailette Hairston, Jerri Haymore, Bonita Osborne, Rhonda Mitchell, Melvina Hairston, Melissa Mead, and managers Sonya Averett and Karen Doby