POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- Polk County Public Schools is inducting four people into the district's Hall of Fame this year.

The class of inductees includes a Commander in the United States Navy, an educator from The City College of New York, the first African-American judge in the history of Volusia County, and a well-respected administrator in local healthcare.

Each will be honored during an invitation-only ceremony on Thursday, May 24, at Lake Ashton Country Club in Lake Wales beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Commander Terry Chauncey is a 1978 graduate of Mulberry High School. He began his career with the United States Navy in 1980, achieving the rank of chief petty officer before earning his commission as a limited duty officer ensign in July 1991. According to the school district, Commander Chauncey's many achievements include being named runner-up for the Navy League's John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership and receiving the Naval Submarine League's Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder Award. He is also a two-time recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Association Award. 

The Honorable Hubert Grimes is another 2018 inductee. The 1971 graduate of Bartow High School is the acting president of Bethune-Cookman University. He previously served as the university's director for the Center for Law and Social Justice. Grimes broke racial barriers in 1988 when he was elected as county judge, becoming the first African-American judge in the history of Volusia County. Before becoming a judge, he work as an attorney for Central Florida Legal Services, Central Florida Community Development Corp., and his own private law practice. 

Joyce Cooly-Simmons, a 1961 graduate of Rochelle High School, will also be inducted. She retired in 2011 from The City College of New York after 43 years of service to the institution. She began her career at CCNY as a counselor and later became a faculty member. She retired from CCNY as the head of the Peer Academic Learning center. In her retirement, she has continued to serve CCNY, teaching as an adjunct professor in the Black Studies Program and volunteering with the college's Role Model Program. As a member of the CCNY commencement committee, Ms. Conoly-Simmons assisted in the hooding of many famous persons receiving honorary doctorates, including former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Michelle Obama. 

Joel Thomas is the last 2018 inductee. He is the president and CEO of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation and a 1975 graduate of Auburndale High School.  Mr. Thomas helped to facilitate the Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Winter Haven Hospital, establish the hospital's new multi-specialty clinic in southeast Winter Haven, and secure major financial support for the area's nursing training programs. He is the author of numerous healthcare-related professional articles and has presented his writing and research at the national and state levels. 

The school district created the Hall of Fame in 1985 to honor Polk County Public Schools attendees who have made significant professional contributions in the arts, business, clergy, education, entertainment, government, law, military, medicine, sports or other fields.

Inductees are chosen each year from nominees submitted by the public.