3 Ridgewood High School Alumni Inducted Into Hall Of Fame: See Who

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The Ridgewood High School Alumni Association inducted three graduates into their Hall of Fame last weekend, praising their achievements.

The three received 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, which celebrate graduates "who have made a lasting impact through their professional achievements, leadership, and service," organizers say.

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RHS Alumni Association President Mark Kossick said it was notable that the recipients come from different generations.

"The Distinguished Alumni Award represents the highest honor bestowed upon Ridgewood High School alumni," he said. "For the first time, we are honoring alumni from three different generations, each celebrating a milestone class reunion anniversary this year."

The three alumni who received awards last weekend were:

• Richard Lockwood Chilton Jr., RHS '76, the founder, Chairman and CEO of Chilton Investment Company, which he established in 1992. He also founded Chilton Trust Company and has devoted time to philanthropy and civic leadership, including service with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robin Hood Foundation, Greenwich Academy, and Yale Berkeley Divinity School.
• Medha Kirtane '96 is an award-winning educator and current teacher at Ridgewood High School who was named New Jersey History Teacher of the Year in 2021. She has received numerous honors for teaching, including the 2026 Merrill Presidential Scholar Secondary Teacher Award from Cornell University. A former head coach of the RHS girls tennis program, Kirtane led the team to four North I Group IV State Sectional Championships and more than 100 victories.
• William C. Weldon '66 joined Johnson & Johnson in 1971 and, over the course of more than four decades with the company, held numerous leadership positions in the United States, Europe, and Asia, ultimately serving as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He has also served on the boards of several major corporations and educational institutions and remains active in nonprofit organizations.

"It is especially meaningful to welcome these incredibly distinguished alumni back to Ridgewood," said Ridgewood High School Principal Jeff Nyhuis. "Their continued connection to our school and community is a testament to the lasting impact of the Ridgewood experience."

The Distinguished Alumni takes place each year during the RHS Alumni Association's annual Homecoming Weekend, bringing together alumni, current students, families, faculty, and other members of the Ridgewood community.

The Classes of 1976 (50th), 1991 (35th), 1996 (30th), 2001 (25th), and 2006 (20th) returned to Ridgewood to celebrate milestone reunions during Homecoming Weekend. The Classes of 1956 (70th) and 1986 (40th) celebrated their milestone reunions earlier this year.

Registered guests also may attend a reception before the main event each year.

"The Distinguished Alumni program is a wonderful reminder of the extraordinary people who have walked the halls of Ridgewood High School," Kossick told Patch. "This year's honorees were no exception. Their stories, accomplishments, and words of wisdom left everyone in attendance feeling inspired and proud to be part of the Ridgewood community."

The RHS Alumni Association was founded in 2014 with a mission to foster lifelong connections among alumni, build meaningful relationships between current students and alumni, and support Ridgewood High School in upholding its core value of Tradition of Excellence. The website is here.