A former CEO of Victoria's Secret, an artist whose work posthumously fetches millions of dollars for individual paintings, the first ophthalmologist in the nation to perform LASIK eye surgery in the United States, and a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who achieved the rank of major general and who has served on the Air Force staff at the Pentagon all have something in common.

They all graduated from Lehighton Area High School.They were among six "Graduates of Distinction" honored by the Lehighton Education and Athletic Foundation Saturday at the Mahoning Valley Country Club.The honorees were announced by Hugh Dugan, president of the foundation.This was the first in what is anticipated to be an annual event that honors LAPS Graduates of Distinction.This year's honorees are:• Maj. Gen. Marvin Jay Barry, a 1966 graduate who, besides having an impressive military career, also coached youth baseball and football locally. He couldn't attend because of recent knee surgery, so his award was accepted by his brother, Bruce Barry.• The late Dr. David Dulaney, a 1955 graduate who besides performing the first LASIK surgery in the U.S., also was the first doctor to use the implant contact lens. His award was accepted by his sister, Jeanine Dulaney Snover.• Lori Harman Greeley, a 1978 graduate, who served as CEO of Victoria's Secret from 2007 to 2013. She was present and accepted the award.• Franz Kline, a 1931 graduate who has a painting in virtually every major museum in the world. Just last month, one of his pieces of art, "Elizabeth," was sold by Sotheby's Auction Gallery for $7,987,000. His award was accepted by Ruth Franks Bush, a Lehighton resident who also is an accomplished artist.• Dr. Andrew Semmel, a 1960 graduate who is currently the executive director of the Partnership for a Secure America. He was present to accept the award.• James Wentz, a 1948 graduate who is a former elementary principal in Lehighton, a former high school football coach for 30 years, a former high school track coach for 28 years and who is involved in various community organizations. He also served many years on the board of Zion United Church of Christ, where he participated in the choir and taught Sunday school. Wentz was present to accept the award.The first such honoring of Graduates of Distinction occurs just weeks before Lehighton borough kicks off its 150th anniversary, where it will be paying tribute to the town's heritage.Dugan read a lengthy list of accomplishments of all the honorees.Also participating in the program were members of the foundation's selection committee. They are chairman Dennis Serfass, Gordon Ripkey, Lamont "Mike" Ebbert, William Michalik, Steve Ohl, Gary Schoenberger and Dr. Bruce Hartman.