Ridgewood’s Past Grads Inspire The Future

ON A BEAUTIFUL LATE October homecoming weekend, the Ridgewood High School Alumni Association inducted three new members into their Distinguished Alumni family, the highest honor bestowed upon RHS alumni.

This year’s inductees included: renowned dog-rescue advocate and pioneer, Peter Rork (class of 1971); visionary education leader and LearnerStudio founder, Kim Smith (class of 1985); and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist and TV host, Willie Geist (class of 1993). Each delivered heartfelt and memorable remarks that captured the spirit of the occasion.

Peter Rork spoke first, tracing his roots back to being one of seven siblings to graduate from Ridgewood High School in the 1960s and 1970s. After a long and distinguished career in medicine, most notably as the orthopedic surgeon for the U.S. Ski Team, he combined his passion for aviation and animals to create the nonprofit Dog Is My CoPilot. Since its founding, he and his organization have rescued more than 43,000 animals.

Kim Smith spoke next, sharing her journey in education and tracing it back to her roots in the Ridgewood school system. She emphasized the importance of human agency, human potential, and learning as a path to opportunity. From her early work at Teach for America to founding the nonprofit LearnerStudio, Smith has built a career around exploring questions such as, “What do young people need to be inspired and prepared to thrive in the age of AI?” Her work continues to shape the future of education and inspire the next generation of thinkers and leaders.

Finally, Willie Geist closed the program and brought down the house. He shared stories of how Ridgewood has played an integral role in his life, from his first on-stage appearance as the lone boy in the all-girls orphanage in “Annie,” to some of his most memorable moments at RHS. Geist also thanked the coaches who helped shape him as a young man and the journalism teacher who inspired his career path. His reflections were a moving tribute to the community that helped launch his career and continues to mean so much to him today.

Immediately following the awards ceremony, guests were invited to a late brunch to mingle and take photos with the inductees. The event drew RHS alumni who were in town celebrating milestone class reunions, including the classes of 1965, 1985, 1990, and 1995. Many attendees continued the celebration by touring Ridgewood High School, with tours coordinated by the Alumni Association in collaboration with school officials.

The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of achievement, community, and the lasting impact of Ridgewood High School. From inspiring speeches to reconnecting with classmates and touring the halls that shaped them, the weekend highlighted the enduring bonds between alumni and their alma mater. As homecoming weekend came to a close, it was clear that the achievements of this year’s inductees and the enduring spirit of the Ridgewood community will continue to inspire future generations and uphold Ridgewood’s Tradition of Excellence.

BY MARK KOSSICK