Prospect High honors alumni, former band director

Prospect High School has inducted three distinguished alumni into its Wall of Fame, and named its band room after a longtime band director.

The recognition of the three alumni - Olympian David Kendziera, radio host Chris Petlak, and actress Jennifer Morrison - along with Morrison's father, former band director David Morrison, happened in conjunction with homecoming festivities at the Mount Prospect school last week.

All four were given plaques last Friday during a ceremony in the library, then recognized during the school's homecoming assembly. They also spent the day visiting students in various classrooms.

Kendziera, a Class of 2013 graduate, finished 12th in 400-meter hurdles during the 2020 Olympics. As a senior at Prospect, he was state champion in the 300-meter hurdles and placed second in the 110-meter hurdles. He also holds the school records in those two events.

Petlak, Class of 2004, is the host of The Morning Mix on WTMX 101.9-FM, where he's worked since 2019. He previously worked as associate creative director at Liquid Advertising in Los Angeles and did social media management for Ryan Seacrest. He also co-created and co-starred in the 2016 sitcom "The Jamz," about a fictional Chicago radio station.

Jennifer Morrison, Class of 1997, is an actor, producer and director known for her roles as Dr. Allison Cameron on Fox's "House" and Emma Swan on ABC's "Once Upon a Time." She recently played Cassidy Sharp on NBC's "This Is Us."

Her father, David Morrison, was band director from 1977 to 2006 - a time during which the symphonic and marching bands gained national recognition.

Under Morrison's tutelage, the Prospect Marching Knights performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, and in front of U.S. presidents. Morrison was named Illinois Teacher of the Year in 2003.