Anne Henning, a 1973 Glenbrook North High School graduate, received the Distinguished Alumna Award in recognition of her accomplishments as a United States Olympic speed skater and gold medalist. In the 1972 Olympic Games held in Sapporo, Japan, Anne Henning, at 16 years of age, captured the gold medal in the 500-meter speed skating event and won a bronze medal in the 1000-meter event. Anne represented the United States with great honor and determination in the 1972 Olympics, where she made history in one of the inspirational stories of the Games. In Anne's first race, her opponent failed to yield the right of way at the cross-over point, causing Anne to stand up and break her rhythm. Although she went on to win the race and the gold medal, she was unsatisfied with her performance, so she convinced the judges to grant her the first re-skate in Olympic history. Racing solely against the clock, Anne set a new Olympic record. At that moment in time, Anne Henning was recognized as the greatest, most determined speed skater the world had ever seen. She had earned her way into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame. Returning to Northbrook after the Olympics, Anne became Northbrook's hometown hero. She and the other Northbrook Olympic speed skaters were greeted at the airport. By the Glenbrook North German Band, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, friends, and well-wishers. A ceremony ensued at Northbrook's Meadowhill Park, and a special assembly was held at Glenbrook North High School to honor her achievements. Her accomplishments brought renewed pride to Glenbrook North High School and the Village of Northbrook, both of which shone in the wake of her Olympic triumphs. She personified and represented the "Spartan Spirit" of Glenbrook North. Anne appeared on several national television shows and became one of the few teenagers ever to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. She spent her senior year actively engaging in academics and activities when she settled back into a more "normal" high school experience. She went on to Carroll College in Wisconsin and later transferred to Indiana University where she concentrated her studies in elementary education. In 1975, she worked for ABC-TV as a commentator for the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships and then in 1976 for the Women's Speed Skating Championships. She represented many corporations nationwide, including Samsonite Luggage, Sears Roebuck and Company, and Post Cereal. In her personal life, Anne is the mother of three children, including twins. She has toured the country, sharing her experiences with elementary children. By educating children and adults, Anne has tried to give back a little of what the sport has given her. She has always displayed a positive attitude and has been an admirable role model for young children worldwide. When Anne received the Distinguished Alumna Award at the 1993 Honors and Awards Assembly, she commented on her experience at Glenbrook North, "GBN was my emotional base. I could return from world competition to my friends, teachers, administrators, and custodians who knew me. I knew my high school would always be there; I felt cared about at GBN."