Fifteen alumni — including athletes, educators, and even a Pulitzer Prize-winner — are set to be inducted into the Lee-Career Hall of Fame later this month, after hundreds of community members cast their votes for the most accomplished alums of the former and current Hill public high schools.
The Lee-Career Hall of Fame celebrates alums from both what was Lee High School and what now is Hill Regional Career High School.
The Hall of Fame received 30 nominations, which a selection committee then narrowed down into a list of finalists for the public. They received 350 votes from the public.
The induction ceremony will take place Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. at Anthony’s Ocean View. According to Lee-Career Hall of Fame Committee member Stu Katz, here are this year’s inductees:
For Professional Achievement, from the Lee class of 1979, Emmy-winning sports television producer and director Peter Cavaliere.
For Athletic Achievement, Lee’s first football coach and basketball official John “Buddy” Chernovetz.
For Athletic Achievement, from the Career class of 2004, the all-time Career High leader in points, rebounds, and blocked shots Geary Claxton.
For Athletic Achievement, from the Lee class of 1978, the second all-time leading scorer for Harvard University Men’s Basketball Donald Fleming.
For Community Service, from the Lee class of 1982, legendary DJ / promoter, basketball coach, and school security officer Paul Hollywood Henderson.
For Professional Achievement, from the Lee class of 1983, the Supt. of Hamden Public Schools Gary Highsmith.
For Professional Achievement, teacher, administrator, mentor, and long-time member of the New Haven Board of Education Dr. Edward Joyner.
For Professional Achievement, from the Career class of 1992, attorney and national legal educator Jeanette Manning.
For Lifetime Achievement, teacher and administrator in New Haven, Guilford, and Westbrook Public Schools Carmen Marottolo.
For Community Service, from the Lee class of 1980, decorated corrections officer and Youth Coordinator for the NHPS Cedric Robinson.
For Humanitarian Achievement, from the Lee class of 1978, 30-year employment specialist for people who have challenges rejoining the workforce Caleb Rodriguez.
For Athletic Achievement, from the Career class of 2005, world-class track athlete and coach Natasha Warner (Harvey).
For Lifetime Achievement, from the Lee class of 1972, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and financial commentator David Wessel.
For Lifetime Achievement, teacher and administrator for 50 years in New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) Charles Williams.
And for Humanitarian Achievement, from the Lee class of 1969, Melanie Stein Wolf, a special education teacher in NHPS for 40 years.
Tickets can be purchased by going to the Lee-Career Alumni Association website: lee-career.com