Parkland High School inducts newest Hall of Fame members
The 2018 inductees for the Parkland High School Hall of Fame are shown. Back row from left to right are Brandon Isaiah, Monte' Purvis, Roger Lail, Jabrea Greene’s father and DeAngelo Bell. Front row from left to right are Maurice Kent “Mossy” White, Rosly Nowlin Payne, Jabrea Greene's grandmother and Mike Bennett.
The Parkland High School Hall of Fame inducted its third class of sports figures. The inductees were honored with a banquet last Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Old Salem Visitor Center.
The inductees are as follows: Deangelo Bell, Mike Bennett, Jabrea Greene (deceased), Roger Lail, Brandon Scott Isaiah, Roslyn Nowlin Payne, Monte Purvis, Maurice Kent “Mossy” White.
Parkland Athletic Director Linwood Jerald says he was very proud of all the inductees. He feels that Parkland should have had a hall of fame years ago, but better late than never.
“When I got here, I had just left Andrews High School and we had just put one together over there,” said Jerald. “So when I got here, I felt like we should have had one here 25 years ago.”
“We are just trying to get everyone that is entitled to be in, but the hard part about it is people have to be recommended or nominated and we have to validate all of the information. You just don’t get in because you think you should be in.”
The Visitor Center was packed with family and friends of all of the inductees. According to Jerald, this was one of the best ceremonies to date for the event. All of the inductees were given time to deliver a short speech following their introductions.
“It was fun and festive,” he said. “We had more people there than we have ever had before. I guess when you induct the people we inducted, you would have a crowd that will fill the room.
Jerald says he is honored to be a part of the team that is bringing to light some of the great athletes that have come from Parkland over the years.
“When you look at what these people have done and are still doing, that speaks a lot about the preparation that Parkland has put into its graduates,” Jerald says. “It makes me feel great, especially since I graduated from here in 1971.”
Jerald says they begin the process of deciding on the inductees in January of every year. He says the applications for nominees go out in early March. In April, the inductees are normally chosen around that time.
“It’s a long drawn-out process because you have to validate everything, so we don’t want to rush and put something together,” he continued.
Jerald says all of the inductees expressed how happy they were to be in this year’s class. He says he is looking forward to next year’s class already.
“We are already getting phone calls from people about next year,” he said. “I can’t wait to see who comes in next.”
