Willowridge, which turned the second Ft. Bend ISD highschool to combine when it opened its doorways in September of 1979, lately inducted 13 new members into its vaunted Wall of Honor.
“The Ridge,” as it’s identified by present college students, alumni and opponents who fell to their dominating soccer staff of the early Nineteen Eighties (going 15-0 and successful the 4A Texas State Championship in the course of the 1982-83 college yr), their three-time state champion boys basketball groups and state-winning boys monitor staff, has produced giants not solely within the realm of sports activities, but in addition drugs, politics, neighborhood activism, the humanities, worldwide regulation and economics, and extra.
And don’t even get Eagle alumni began on the baddest band within the land.
However on July 29, all consideration within the Eagles’ universe was positioned on this yr’s Wall of Honor banquet and the brand new crop of inductees.
The Willowridge Wall of Honor was organized within the spring of 2006 beneath the umbrella of the T.J. Ford Basis, the results of the imaginative and prescient of T.J. Ford, 1 2001 WHS alum. The aim of the WOH is to acknowledge Willowridge’s excellent educational and athletic graduates whose accomplishments throughout their highschool careers and whose meritorious roles in public and/or non-public life following highschool have introduced constructive public recognition, credit score and honor to the varsity and its worldwide neighborhood of supporters.
Moreover, the WHO honors WHS lecturers and coaches who’ve made a distinction within the lives of Eagles, guaranteeing that they honor the varsity motto, “Class and Character.”
“The WHO actually helps the applications which are there,” stated Frances Plummer, Willowridge WHO, Inc. president. “We wish to present the scholars who’re presently enrolled in Willowridge that there are others who got here by the exact same halls and had been in a position to achieve success to exit in life and do nice issues after which come again and provides again. We would like the scholars which are there to emulate that and take delight of their college and in addition to excel and do their highest.”
Oscar Beltran, a 2018 WHO inductee and present WHO board member, sees the induction banquet as a bi-annual alternative to name Eagle alumni again to offer providers and assist that’s a lot wanted, as the varsity at present faces daunting challenges, together with a dwindling enrollment, an absence of athletics program funding and numerous college students and their households who’re on the fallacious finish of the socio-economic ladder.
“As soon as my son graduated from Bush Excessive College, I needed to provide again as a result of I’ve been concerned with him and his college,” stated Beltran. “After which I made a decision to start out volunteering for the Wall of Honor as a result of they do loads of good issues for the varsity. And the varsity proper now’s simply needing loads of requirements.
“My name is for Willowridge alumni to return again and see what the varsity is about right now. As a result of loads of them, sadly, nonetheless assume that the varsity is similar because it was after they graduated. And it’s not. There’s loads of wants. There’s an absence of involvement from graduates and I’d love for them to return again and assist nevertheless they’ll: time, cash, donations, involvement, speaking to the children.”
Beltran stated many present WHS college students don’t assume they’re gonna make it due to an absence of adults who imagine in them. Beltran believes if present college students see alumni who “got here from the place they got here from” they are going to be inspired.
“Like me; I graduated, I went to high school in Ridgemont, Missouri Metropolis after which Willowridge. After which I’ve owned my very own firm for the final 35 years and I’m Hispanic. So, the Hispanic crowd or the minority crowd can say, ‘Okay, this man grew up the place I grew up and he’s made it.’ So, I’m simply making an attempt to be an instance for these youngsters.”
Ursula Raven Washington, a 2023 WOH inductee, may hardly comprise her pleasure.
“I’ve needed this honor for some time,” stated Washington. “The chance to face alongside my fellow Eagles who’re doing nice issues for the neighborhood is one thing that I aspire to. So, it’s superior to be a part of that group.” she stated.
Washington is one among numerous WHS alumni who converse on the particular bond loved between them.
“Again within the day, after we first began college, we had been model new and all of us bonded collectively. However I feel one of many greatest issues for me is even at our age now, and a few of us have been out of college for 40 years, we’re all nonetheless so shut and linked, which is one more reason why we’re coming again and giving again to the varsity.”
The 2023 inductees embody:
Nichelle Pryor Beard (’86)
Dr. Krista A. Coleman (’92)
Raquel A. Wade Gant (’91)
Marcela Guzman, posthumously (College)
Nelson D. Haggerty, posthumously (’91)
Deana Lawson (’89)
Dr. Alicia Rochel Martin (Asst. Principal)
Thomas “T-Roe” Monroe, III (’84)
Kendrom Samuel Penson Sr. (’95)
Sherry Patrice Penson (’86)
Tim David Randle (’96)
Ursula Raven Washington (’85)
Shannon Rideout (’92)
