Brighton Area Schools inducted the inaugural members of the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame on Thursday night.
Former professional sports star Drew Henson, TV sports anchor Dave LewAllen and former Brighton Mayor Kate Lawrence were in attendance for the event, held in the newly-completed STEAM Center at Brighton High School.
The district began accepting nominations for the wall last spring, looking for exemplary graduates who achieved the peak in their professional endeavors. In all, 23 nominations were received.
After opening remarks by Brighton Superintendent Dr. Matt Outlaw, the honorees were presented by a different friend or acquaintance.
Presented by former Brighton Coach Mark Carrow, LeWAllen, a 1975 graduate, has been a news and sports anchor for WXYZ-TV for 35 years, winning four Emmys along the way. In addition to extensive charity work, he is also a Board Member for the Rainbow Connection
A 1976 graduate, Lawrence, was presented by former Brighton City Manager Dana Foster. Lawrence was the first female Mayor of the City of Brighton, she also served on the Brighton City Council and the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and was the first Livingston County official to serve as President of The Michigan Municipal League.
And finally, Henson, a 1998 graduate, was a Quarterback for the University of Michigan football team before playing Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds and then playing in the NFL with theDallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. He was presented by fellow alumni Anthony Quinn.