Ridgeland High School to Host Sixth Annual Vonn Bell Awards and Ridgeland Hall of Fame Ceremony

The Ridgeland High School Athletic Hall of Fame will host their sixth annual Vonn Bell Awards and Ridgeland Hall of Fame induction ceremony and banquet on May 17, 2025. The event will take place at 6:00 p.m. at Ridgeland High School.

The banquet and ceremony will include dinner, induction of the sixth class of the Ridgeland Athletic Hall of Fame, and presentation of the Vonn Bell Awards.

This year’s Hall of Fame class includes: Scott Harden (class of 1999), Karen Hughes (class of 1990), Jacob Mariakis (class of 2019), Bill Middleton (community member), Markeith Montgomery (class of 2018), Craig Pritchett (class of 1999), India Manson(class of 2004), and Curtis Wells (posthumously). 

Members of Ridgeland’s sixth class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame were nominated by the community and selected by the Hall of Fame committee. Nominations will continue to be taken yearly and will be active for a period of three years. 

Over the course of the 2024-25 school year, coaches from all sports at Ridgeland have participated in a student-athlete of the month program. All students who received the Athlete of the Month award are eligible to receive the Vonn Bell Award, which will be given at the Hall of Fame Banquet.  The Vonn Bell Award Finalists for 2025 will be announced on Friday, April 11th. 

The Vonn Bell Award is named after former Ridgeland football standout Vonn Bell, who went on to play college football at Ohio State before being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Bell is currently a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing as a defensive starter in Super Bowl LVI.

Tickets and tables will be sold to the public beginning Friday, April 14, 2025. Individual tickets will be $35, or tables of 8 can be purchased for $275. 

To purchase tickets to the banquet, call the front office at 706-820-9063. For other questions, contact Darla Cole at darlacole@walkerschools.org.

Scott Harden—Class of 1999

Bill Middleton—Community Member

Karen Hughes—Class of 1990

Markeith Montgomery—Class of 2018

India Turner Manson—Class of 2004

Jacob Mariakis—Class of 2019

Craig Pritchett—Class of 1999

Curtis Wells—Community Member