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Landers Ford presents $5,000 checks to teachers; GMSD honors 2025 top scholars
Summary
Germantown Municipal School District recognized 2025 National Merit semifinalists, commended scholars and ACT super scorers and accepted a private donation from Kent Ritchie of Landers Ford Collierville, who presented $5,000 checks to each of the district's three teachers of the year.
Superintendent Jason Manuel introduced the district's 2025 top scholars and a community gift during the Germantown Municipal School District board meeting. "These students represent the best of what it means to empower personal potential," Manuel said as the board called forward National Merit semifinalists, National Merit Commended Scholars and students with ACT composite scores of 35 or 36.
Among students named were National Merit semifinalists Jack Armstrong and Helen Yarbrough, and commended scholars including Pratika Abiyanker and Lillian Yang; the district also recognized multiple ACT super scorers. Manuel said the district has created top scholar posters to display in schools as role models for younger students.
Kent Ritchie of Landers Ford Collierville presented checks to the district's teachers of the year, announcing that he would personally give $5,000 to each of the three winners. "We don't pay teachers enough," Ritchie said, explaining the gift as a way to give back to the schools that shaped him and his family. Ritchie also described a long relationship of Landers Ford support, including sponsorships and event funding across the district.
A teacher identified as Ms. McMahon came forward to receive a check. The board and Superintendent Manuel thanked Ritchie and Landers Ford for the donation and for ongoing community partnership. The recognition segment concluded with a request that honored students gather for a photograph in the lobby and to correct any poster misspellings.
No formal board action was required to accept the presentation or the private gift during the meeting; the presentation was recorded as part of recognitions and awards.
