"Every Child deserves a champion"
Rita Pierson
A champion: Someone who fights for you; someone who unwaveringly supports your cause. Charter Champions are those who believe in the power of school choice, who are committed to ensuring that every child has a quality option for free, public education and who are persistent in their efforts to improve the outcomes for our children. In particular, they are advocates for Greenville Technical Charter High School, the first charter high school in the state of South Carolina. GTCHS is grateful for our champions. The role they play in promoting strong legislation, providing financial contributions, and leading innovative practices is vital for the students we serve.
2020 GTCHS Charter Champions
Tony Wheeler, also known as “Tone Hollywood,” is the midday radio host for “Workin’ with Hollywood,” from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on 107.3 JAMZ. A graduate of Clemson University, he is one of the most decorated Track & Field athletes ever in Clemson history, receiving a Gold Medal at the World Junior Olympics, a seven-time All American and eight-time ACC champion. Tony won the 2014 South Carolina Broadcasters Association Award for Radio Personality, 2013 Radio Personality of the Year, and 2010 Radio Show of the Year. Armed with a Master’s degree in Human Resources, comedic timing, and a good heart, Tony uses his platform to mentor and encourage youth and uplift the community. Tony has mentored and inspired students at GTCHS by speaking to the Warrior Broadcast class as well as working as a guest broadcaster and guest morning announcer. In addition, he has also served as MC for the Basketball Team’s Pancake breakfast.
Tony Wheeler is shown at left receiving the GTCHS Charter Champion award from GTCHS principal, Mary Nell Anthony.
Tony Wheeler is shown at left receiving the GTCHS Charter Champion award from GTCHS principal, Mary Nell Anthony.
The Phoenix Center is governed by the Greenville County Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse. The Phoenix Center works to ensure that the people of Greenville County live free of the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Their positive, encouraging, and non-judgmental approach to prevention, treatment and recovery creates support for the family and individual to make the necessary changes to affect positive outcomes. Incredible staff like Brandi Simmons and Curtis Reece have served as mentors and facilitators for four interns from GTCHS. “A Dose of Reality: What Every Parent Should Know About the Opioid Epidemic” and “A Dose of Reality: A Joint Effort to Understand Mental Health and Substance Abuse” were two community education events lead by GTCHS students in conjunction with the Phoenix Center. The Phoenix Center facilitates the training of GTCHS students to assist SLED in their efforts to stop the sale of alcohol to underage buyers. GTCHS students also serve as part of Greenville ECHO Rx Coalition.
Charity Deaton, Michael McLain, Brandi Simmons and Curtis Reece, representing the Phoenix Center (shown from left to right) a receive the GTCHS Charter Champions award from GTCHS principal, Mary Nell Anthony.
Charity Deaton, Michael McLain, Brandi Simmons and Curtis Reece, representing the Phoenix Center (shown from left to right) a receive the GTCHS Charter Champions award from GTCHS principal, Mary Nell Anthony.
2018 Charter Champions
Leslie Farmer, left and Al Squire, right, were named Charter Champions by principal, Mary Nell Anthony on April 22, 2018.
Leslie Farmer joined the Endowment Board in 2013 where she served as a board member for the next 4 years. During her volunteer time at GTCHS, the Endowment Board planned a formal reception, started an annual campaign, and conducted a feasibility study while reviewing the steps to develop a capital campaign.
Ms. Farmer, through Lockheed Martin, has been supportive to GTCHS in the STEAM initiatives. Lockheed Martin has enabled GTCHS to purchase a 21 st Century Classroom, laptops
for science with temperature sensor probes, TI-84 graphing calculators, and most recently Google Expedition Goggles. Through the years, she has sponsored events with the most
recent being Warrior Madness, a free cookout welcoming family and alumni.
Ms. Farmer, a 2010 graduate of Clemson University, majored in Communications. At
the start of her career, she learned the importance of community service when her career
took her to local non profits: Upstate Homeless Coalition of South Carolina and Meals on
Wheels. After several career advancements, Ms. Farmer, currently serves Lockheed
Martin as their Communications Lead still contributing back to the community.
Al Squire has been partnering with GTCHS for many years now. In his role at Greenville Hospital System, he started the GHS MedEx, Medical Experience Academy, in 2010 with a handful of students, big ideas and a van. His goal was to get students in Greenville County interested in medical careers by introducing them to a wide range of career opportunities. The MedEx program, starting from those eleven kids, has now included almost four hundred students. Each year, 50 rising seniors are selected out of the hundreds who apply to enter the 5 tier program. Thanks to Al’s personal relationship with Greenville Tech Charter High School, Al provides speakers to the Future Physicians Club and his interns personally work with MedEx candidates each year. Our small school can now claim to be the one that has had the most candidates picked in Greenville County schools.
In addition, Al Squire has spoken to our student body every year for the last four years. He does an inspirational speech called “The Top Ten” about the top ten things students need to do to ensure future college entrance and success. He is engaging, loving, and clearly interested in getting young people to fulfill their potential.
The GTCHS Charter Champions award is given to business and community leaders who are committed to ensuring that every child is given the opportunity for and choice of a high quality, free, public education and are persistent in their efforts to improve the outcomes for all children.
Leslie Farmer, left and Al Squire, right, were named Charter Champions by principal, Mary Nell Anthony on April 22, 2018.
Leslie Farmer joined the Endowment Board in 2013 where she served as a board member for the next 4 years. During her volunteer time at GTCHS, the Endowment Board planned a formal reception, started an annual campaign, and conducted a feasibility study while reviewing the steps to develop a capital campaign.
Ms. Farmer, through Lockheed Martin, has been supportive to GTCHS in the STEAM initiatives. Lockheed Martin has enabled GTCHS to purchase a 21 st Century Classroom, laptops
for science with temperature sensor probes, TI-84 graphing calculators, and most recently Google Expedition Goggles. Through the years, she has sponsored events with the most
recent being Warrior Madness, a free cookout welcoming family and alumni.
Ms. Farmer, a 2010 graduate of Clemson University, majored in Communications. At
the start of her career, she learned the importance of community service when her career
took her to local non profits: Upstate Homeless Coalition of South Carolina and Meals on
Wheels. After several career advancements, Ms. Farmer, currently serves Lockheed
Martin as their Communications Lead still contributing back to the community.
Al Squire has been partnering with GTCHS for many years now. In his role at Greenville Hospital System, he started the GHS MedEx, Medical Experience Academy, in 2010 with a handful of students, big ideas and a van. His goal was to get students in Greenville County interested in medical careers by introducing them to a wide range of career opportunities. The MedEx program, starting from those eleven kids, has now included almost four hundred students. Each year, 50 rising seniors are selected out of the hundreds who apply to enter the 5 tier program. Thanks to Al’s personal relationship with Greenville Tech Charter High School, Al provides speakers to the Future Physicians Club and his interns personally work with MedEx candidates each year. Our small school can now claim to be the one that has had the most candidates picked in Greenville County schools.
In addition, Al Squire has spoken to our student body every year for the last four years. He does an inspirational speech called “The Top Ten” about the top ten things students need to do to ensure future college entrance and success. He is engaging, loving, and clearly interested in getting young people to fulfill their potential.
The GTCHS Charter Champions award is given to business and community leaders who are committed to ensuring that every child is given the opportunity for and choice of a high quality, free, public education and are persistent in their efforts to improve the outcomes for all children.
2014 Charter Champions
Senator Jim DeMint was elected in 1998 to the first of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Senator DeMint has served as the President of the Heritage foundation, a non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C. He is an accomplished author and speaker and has supported GTCHS through the years through his support of education bills and government grants.
Dr. Harold Shaw is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is on the adjunct faculty of the Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor, Senior Achievement, and Secretariat Awards, and services as a Director of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Shaw practices in Greenville, where he is Chairman of Jervey Eye Group, P.A.
Minor Mickel Shaw is the President of Micco LLC, a private investment company and Chairman of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport Commission. She has served on the Board of Directors for Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, and Columbia Funds. She has been the Trustee of many distinguished organizations including the Duke Endowment, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, the Hollingsworth Funds and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC Foundation. Mrs. Shaw is a recipient of many prestigious business and civic awards including South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 people worldwide. The Greenville, SC facility offers "nose to tail" maintenance, structural modifications, and state of the art upgrades for both military and civil aircraft. Located at the SC Technology and Aviation Center, Lockheed Martin plays an active role in helping to strengthen the quality of life in our community by partnering with local organizations and schools such as Greenville Technical Charter High School.
Dr. Harold Shaw is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is on the adjunct faculty of the Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor, Senior Achievement, and Secretariat Awards, and services as a Director of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Shaw practices in Greenville, where he is Chairman of Jervey Eye Group, P.A.
Minor Mickel Shaw is the President of Micco LLC, a private investment company and Chairman of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport Commission. She has served on the Board of Directors for Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, and Columbia Funds. She has been the Trustee of many distinguished organizations including the Duke Endowment, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, the Hollingsworth Funds and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC Foundation. Mrs. Shaw is a recipient of many prestigious business and civic awards including South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 people worldwide. The Greenville, SC facility offers "nose to tail" maintenance, structural modifications, and state of the art upgrades for both military and civil aircraft. Located at the SC Technology and Aviation Center, Lockheed Martin plays an active role in helping to strengthen the quality of life in our community by partnering with local organizations and schools such as Greenville Technical Charter High School.
2013 Charter Champions
Lynda Leventis-Wells has served as the Executive Director of the Carolinas Institute for Community Policing and on the Greenville County School's Board of Trustees. During her tenure at GTC, she served as Director of the College High School Program as well as Director of Enrollment and Department Head of Criminal Justice. She received numerous awards, including the 2008 YMCA Dream Achievers Award and the SC Order of the Palmetto. Lynda served on the GTCHS Board of Directors from 2003-2007 and serviced as Vice Chairman from 2005-2007.
Dr. Robert Nash taught science at Brashier Middle College and GTCHS and was a professor of biology at Southern Wesleyan University. He served in the military including time in the National Guard. He has served as a board member for countless organizations that include Central Business Council and the Anderson Oconee Pickens Mental Health Board. He previous served as the board chairman for GTCHS and served on the Board of Directors for BMC. His many awards include the 2012 SC Public Charter School Alliance Advocate of the Year.
Lisa Stevens is a former GTCHS parent. She served on the Board of Directors for Langston Middle School, which she helped to establish. She also served as a member of the SC Education Lottery Commission, the SC Mental Health Commission, and the Chairman of the SC Legacy Trust. She currently serves on the Greenville Health System Board.
Dr. Robert Wilson is a Greenville surgeon who served on the Board of Trustees for Greenville Technical College and is the Executive Director for the Eleanor and Earl Sargent Foundation. He has served on several baords including The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Greenville. Dr. Wilson served on the planning committee for GTCHS and has supported the school both financially and with service. His wife, Teresa, was an active volunteer at GTCHS. Both his son Jay and Robert are alumni of GTCHS.
Dr. Robert Nash taught science at Brashier Middle College and GTCHS and was a professor of biology at Southern Wesleyan University. He served in the military including time in the National Guard. He has served as a board member for countless organizations that include Central Business Council and the Anderson Oconee Pickens Mental Health Board. He previous served as the board chairman for GTCHS and served on the Board of Directors for BMC. His many awards include the 2012 SC Public Charter School Alliance Advocate of the Year.
Lisa Stevens is a former GTCHS parent. She served on the Board of Directors for Langston Middle School, which she helped to establish. She also served as a member of the SC Education Lottery Commission, the SC Mental Health Commission, and the Chairman of the SC Legacy Trust. She currently serves on the Greenville Health System Board.
Dr. Robert Wilson is a Greenville surgeon who served on the Board of Trustees for Greenville Technical College and is the Executive Director for the Eleanor and Earl Sargent Foundation. He has served on several baords including The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Greenville. Dr. Wilson served on the planning committee for GTCHS and has supported the school both financially and with service. His wife, Teresa, was an active volunteer at GTCHS. Both his son Jay and Robert are alumni of GTCHS.
2012 Charter Champions
Hayne Hipp is the founder of the Liberty Fellowship and a community leader who works tirelessly to help improve the education and business opportunities in South Carolina. Hayne is the former CEO of the Liberty Corporation and is a trustee of the Aspen Institute. Hayne and his wife Anna Kate have three children and five grandchildren. Hayne has been a support of GTCHS for several years.
Dr. Anthony Johnson has been practiced pediatric ophthalmology in the upstate for over 26 years. He is a managing partner of Jervey Eye Group a multi-subspecialty eye care group with offices in Greenville and Pickens counties. His two sons William and Charles are both graduates of GTCHS. Anthony and his wife Laurie, a hospice nurse started the GTCHS Endowment Fund in 2007. Laurie also volunteered in the GTCHS Development Office for several years.
Ray Lattimore is the founder and president of Marketplace Staffing Services, Inc. He is also known for his longstanding commitment to development our community through decades of extensive volunteer work and philanthropy in South Carolina. Ray served on the GTCHS Board of Directors. He and his wife Jackie have one son Michael who graduated from GTCHS in 2010.
Carl Sobocinski is a founding partner of Table 301 and is very active in the community. He has served on several boards and committees in the state and on the board for Euphoria. Carl and Table 301 have been strong supporters of GTCHS and have sponsored the GTCHS Senior Luncheon.
Dr. Anthony Johnson has been practiced pediatric ophthalmology in the upstate for over 26 years. He is a managing partner of Jervey Eye Group a multi-subspecialty eye care group with offices in Greenville and Pickens counties. His two sons William and Charles are both graduates of GTCHS. Anthony and his wife Laurie, a hospice nurse started the GTCHS Endowment Fund in 2007. Laurie also volunteered in the GTCHS Development Office for several years.
Ray Lattimore is the founder and president of Marketplace Staffing Services, Inc. He is also known for his longstanding commitment to development our community through decades of extensive volunteer work and philanthropy in South Carolina. Ray served on the GTCHS Board of Directors. He and his wife Jackie have one son Michael who graduated from GTCHS in 2010.
Carl Sobocinski is a founding partner of Table 301 and is very active in the community. He has served on several boards and committees in the state and on the board for Euphoria. Carl and Table 301 have been strong supporters of GTCHS and have sponsored the GTCHS Senior Luncheon.