Four Needham High School graduates will be presented with the 23rd annual Needham High School George Dennett Distinguished Career Award on Friday, Oct. 26.

This year's award recipients include:

• Actress/singer Nancy Anderson, NHS Class of 1988;
• Documentary filmmaker Mark Becker, NHS Class of 1987;
• and FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey S. Sallet, NHS Class of 1988.

In addition, freelance classical and jazz musician and composer Francis "Frank" L. Nizzari, NHS Class of 1957, will be given the award posthumously, presented to his wife, Marcia Nizzari, in honor of her husband.

The awards ceremony will be attended by faculty, community leaders, family, friends and the current junior class. Award recipients will then be recognized by the Superintendent of Schools and NHS principal at a lunch reception hosted in their honor.

In 1990, Needham High School established the George Dennett Distinguished Career Award—named after the high school's longtime teacher, coach and architect of the award—as a way to connect accomplished NHS alumni with NHS juniors who are beginning to think about higher education and career choices after high school.

Every year, the Distinguished Career Award Committee solicits nominations of alumni (who have graduated at least 10 years prior to the award date) who have made significant contributions in a variety of business and creative settings.

Nearly 50 NHS alumni have been honored since 1990. Past recipients include:

• NASA astronaut and naval aviator Sunita L. (Pandya) Williams, NHS Class of 1983;
• Founder and former CEO of Monster.com Jeff Taylor, NHS Class of 1978;
• Past President/CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and 2010 Gubernatorial Candidate Charles Baker, NHS Class of 1975;
• U.S. Coast Guard Admiral (Ret.) James S. Gracey, NHS Class of 1945;
• and co-owners/founders of Life is good Inc. Bert Jacobs, NHS Class of 1983, and John Jacobs, NHS Class of 1986.