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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Six education professionals were honored as the newest members of the Richland One Hall of Fame.

District officials announced this year's inductees Thursday at Alcorn Middle School.

The hall of fame recognizes people throughout the district's history who have made significant contributions to Richland One, their professions, their communities and society as a whole.

"What we need to do is to let people in Richland One, City of Columbia, the state of South Carolina and particularly our students know that they can achieve the kinds of things that these people have," explains Bob Bockman, Selection Committee Chair.

Those honored this year include:

- Donald Ralph "Don" Belt, Jr. - A 1968 graduate of A.C. Flora High School who is senior editor and chief foreign affairs correspondent for National Geographic magazine.

- Ethel Martin Bolden - A retired librarian and 1936 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School who was one of the first two African-Americans to integrate the Dreher High School faculty.

- Zack C.. Clarkson, Sr. (deceases) - A farmer and businessman and 1937 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School who was the first African-American appointed to the South Carolina Agricultural Commission.

- Lilease Rogers Hall (deceased) - Retired Richland One teacher who taught for 54 years in Richland One, serving as a French teacher at Columbia High School and as a French and English teacher at Booker T. Washington High School.

- James C. "Jim" Leventis - Attorney and businessman and 1956 graduate of Dreher High School who is chairman emeritus of First Community Bank and former Richland One school board member.

- Dr. Juanita Simons Scott (deceased) - A 1953 graduate of Webber High School who was a biology professor at Benedict College and later served in several administrative capacities, including as acting vice president for academic affairs.

Click here to find out more about the hall of fame.