Five Chesty Lions will be inducted into the Lawrence Lions Alumni Association Hall of Honor in October, the organization has announced.
“The LLAA Hall of Honor recognizes graduates of Liberty Memorial High School and Lawrence High School who have distinguished themselves in their professions and/or made significant contributions to society on a state, national and/or international level,” according to a news release from the group. “Honorees also may include individuals who, while not alumni, have contributed significantly to the success of the two schools and their graduates.”
Here are this year’s five inductees:
• Lance Hill, “a 1968 graduate of Lawrence High School, dedicated his life to fighting for racial equality. After being expelled from the University of Kansas for protesting the Vietnam War, he became a full-time anti-war and anti-racism activist. He organized multi-racial coalitions to counter white supremacists and founded the Southern Institute for Education and Research, an organization that provided teacher training on the causes and consequences of prejudice.”
• Paul Carttar, “a 1971 graduate of Lawrence High School, has had a remarkable career spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. He has served as an executive, consultant, speaker, and change-maker across six continents. Notably, he co-founded The Bridgespan Group, a leading nonprofit consulting and research firm focused on social impact. He also served as the first director of the Social Innovation Fund under President Obama.”
• Mike Browning, “a 1964 graduate of Lawrence High School, was a beloved educator and community leader. He spent his career at Lawrence High School, serving as a teacher, supervisor, and associate principal. He was known for his dedication to students and his positive impact on countless lives.”
• Dirk Wedd, “a 1970 graduate of Lawrence High School, is a coaching legend. He served as the head football coach at Lawrence High School for 19 years, winning 106 games and leading the team to two Sunflower League Championships. He is also known for his commitment to student athletes and his passion for the Chesty Lions.”
• Gwen (Junior) Harwood Wedd, “a 1970 graduate of Lawrence High School, has dedicated her career to fostering school spirit and building traditions. As the Spirit Squad Director for a combined 28 years, she has played a vital role in creating a vibrant school environment and inspiring generations of students.”
LLAA President, Jessica Larsen, expressed her excitement for this year’s honorees, saying,
“Their contributions to society resonate far beyond the walls of Lawrence High School, and we are excited to recognize their immeasurable achievements,” LLAA President Jessica Larsen said in the release of the inductees. “We invite all Lawrence High School alumni, students, staff, and the general public to join us in this memorable event as we pay tribute to these outstanding individuals.”
The induction ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St. It’s free to attend and the public is welcome.
Find more information on the Lawrence Lions Alumni Association website atlawrencelionsalumni.com. See a list of prior inductees at lawrencelionsalumni.com/hall-of-honor.
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