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These
student athletes have it going on -- they
were nominated for a big-time sports honor!
A
Heisman of a Different Sort
By
Rebecca Vara
October/November 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Question:
What do Wendy's,
student
athletes, and community service have in
common? To many of you, this may be a brain
stumper, but to Megan May and James Lindgren,
the answer is clear: Heisman.
For
eight generations, the Heisman name has
signified excellence, determination, and
prestige among college football's elite.
Then in 1994, Wendy's founder Dave Thomas
helped a second level of outstanding students
join the ranks when he created the Wendy's
High School Heisman (WHSH) program.
Both
Megan and James admit the
WHSH
program
wasn't even a consideration
before their senior year of high school.
"One day at school I was told one boy
and one girl would be nominated for the
contest," explains James. "I thought
it was so cool when I found out one of them
was me."
After
being nominated, the requirements are simple:
A student must be active in athletics, excel
in academics, and participate in community
service. Lucky for 2001
winner Megan
and 2001
finalist
James, this wasn't a problem. Between the
two of them, they had participated in eight
sports throughout their high school careers.
Of course, grades and service played major
role, as well.
"I
knew that in order for me to accomplish
anything, I would need a good background
in academics," says Megan. She
took her pre-med goals and Heisman trophy
off to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
James
agrees. "Working hard in school will
relate to the rest my life," he says.
His
scholastic power helped him start his education
at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar
Falls, IA), where he aspires to be a mechanical
engineer.
And,
speaking of community service involvement,
whether it's being a part of your church's
youth group or a science tutor, every little
bit counts. Just ask either of these two
student athletes.
"By
helping out at nursing homes in my town,"
says James, "I learned education goes
a lot farther than what you learn in school."
Because
of their hard-working attitudes, Megan and
James made it to the finals in New York
City. "It was such an awesome experience
for me, considering I had never flown in
a plane or been away from home before,"
Megan shares. "There I was, touring
the city and being put on ESPN."
Megan's
good fortune didn't end with her trophy
and student recognition, either. Her school
received $4,000 on behalf of her winning
the award. Now, that's something else she
can be proud of!
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