20th Annual Wendy's® High School Heisman Award® Winners Announced

NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Emily Granger of Easton, MD, and Andrew Miner of East Greenwich, RI, were honored this evening as National Winners of the 20^th annual Wendy's^® High School Heisman^® Award, recognizing high school seniors who excel in sports, academics and community involvement. These extraordinary students were chosen from more than 48,000 applicants nationwide.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131213/CL33652)

The Wendy's High School Heisman Award, inspired by Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, celebrates the achievements of exceptional student-athletes and provides a platform for their continued growth and success beyond high school. Since its inception in 1994, more than 450,000 students have been nominated for the award.

"Just like Heisman Trophy winners, Wendy's High School Heisman winners never settle. They epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work in everything they do," said Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy to date and a long-time spokesman of Wendy's High School Heisman. "Congratulations to Emily and Andrew, and all of our 2013 National Finalists. Their achievements distinguish them as some of the best scholar-athletes in the nation, and we're honored to be a part of their success." 

Emily Granger, Saints Peter and Paul High School
Hometown: Easton, MD

Emily Granger exemplifies a true scholar-athlete at Saints Peter and Paul High School. She has lettered in Basketball, Lacrosse and Soccer. She was named Most Valuable Player, an All-Conference, All-District and All-State athlete for Lacrosse and has set three school records while playing on the Soccer team. In the classroom, Emily has received awards for Exemplary Scholastic Achievement, Team Spirit and Outstanding Sportsmanship. She is involved in her community through her work with her school's Key Club.

Andrew Miner, East Greenwich High School
Hometown: East Greenwich, RI

Andrew Miner is a top scholar-athlete at East Greenwich High School. He has lettered in Baseball as well as Football, for which he was named Most Valuable Player, All-Conference and All-District for his accomplishments. Andrew was named a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist and is also a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to be an outstanding student, he is involved in his community through the National Honor Society Peer Tutoring Program.

Andrew and Emily will each receive a $10,000 donation to his and her high school, a crystal Wendy's High School Heisman trophy and a $500 Wendy's gift card, along with an appearance on Saturday's live Heisman Trophy broadcast on ESPN^® at 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

"We are proud to have partnered with the Heisman Memorial Trust over the past 20 years to recognize thousands of exceptional high school student-athletes from across the country. Emily and Andrew are well-deserving of this award and we are honored to have them join the list of distinguished program alumni," said Emil Brolick, Wendy's President and Chief Executive Officer.

A panel of judges selected Emily and Andrew from 12 National Finalists – six senior males and six senior females – representing the six geographic Heisman Trophy regions. Wendy's honored the National Finalists at an awards ceremony in New York City this evening, which will air on ESPN2^® at 3 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, December 15.

The other 10 Wendy's High School Heisman National Finalists are:

The initial rounds of judging were conducted by ACT, Inc., a leader in educational testing and services, which scored applicants and determined hundreds of School Winners, 983 State Finalists and 102 State Winners from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. After State Winners were selected, a distinguished panel of judges – from the worlds of education, business and sports, along with former college Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winners and former Wendy's High School Heisman National Winners – carefully reviewed all nomination forms and voted on the National Finalists and National Winners.

For more information about the 2013 Wendy's High School Heisman Award program, and to view photos and bios of the National Winners and National Finalists, as well as photos from the Heisman weekend, please visit www.WendysHeisman.com. 

About the Wendy's High School Heisman Program
Created in 1994 by Wendy's and the Heisman Memorial Trust, the Wendy's High School Heisman Award recognizes outstanding high-school seniors nationwide who excel in athletics, academics and in the community.  Students can nominate themselves for the award online, in addition to being recommended by principals, teachers, guidance counselors and coaches.  The most exceptional students are then selected to advance during extensive judging processes conducted at both state and national levels.

About The Wendy's Company

The Wendy's Company is the world's third largest quick-service hamburger company. The Wendy's system includes more than 6,500 franchise and Company restaurants in the United States and 28 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.aboutwendys.com or www.wendys.com.

Contact:
Janna Chapman
Ketchum Public Relations
(404) 879-9159
[email protected]

The Wendy's name and design, and the Wendy's High School Heisman and design are trademarks of Oldemark LLC and are licensed to Wendy's International, Inc.  The Heisman Memorial Trophy, Heisman name and Heisman Trophy figure are registered trademarks of the Heisman Trophy Trust, used with permission.

SOURCE The Wendy's Company