High School Seniors, Bring Your 'A' Game for the Wendy's High School Heisman

DUBLIN, Ohio, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wendy's announced today the kick off of its annual Wendy's High School Heisman (WHSH) Award call for applicants. The 2011 WHSH class will join the more than 305,000 esteemed alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to academic achievement, community service involvement, leadership and accomplishments in the athletic arena.

Beginning now through Oct. 2, 2011, eligible* students can apply at www.WendysHeisman.com for a chance to earn the honored title of WHSH. Applications will be judged by representatives from the worlds of education, business and sports, along with WHSH recipients and former college Heisman Memorial Trophy Award Winners, including two-time winner of the prestigious Heisman and WHSH ambassador Archie Griffin.

"I am honored to be a part of a program that transfers the Heisman tradition of hard work and excellence to talented high school student athletes across the country," said Archie Griffin, two-time collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy winner (1974, 1975). "We look forward to recognizing those young men and women who demonstrate the Wendy's High School Heisman's values of leadership, service and scholarship with outstanding records both on and off the field."

One male student and one female student will be honored with the WHSH Award during the nationally-televised Heisman Memorial Trophy Award ceremony in early December of 2011. These leading scholar-athletes will join the ranks of past winners who have gone on to excel in a variety of professions, including academia, government and medicine. Winners will also earn $10,000 for their high school and receive a $500 Wendy's gift card. In addition, 12 national finalists and their families will receive an all-expenses-paid weekend in New York City where they will attend and be recognized at the official Heisman ceremony.

About WHSH
The WHSH is a joint program between Wendy's and the Heisman Memorial Trust, host of the College Heisman Memorial Trophy. The 2010 winners were Rex Woodbury of Tucson, Arizona, who will be running track and cross-country for Dartmouth College; and Abby Badura of Midlothian, VA, who will be attending Princeton University and plans to major in computer engineering.

A complete list of past WHSH finalists and winners can be found by visiting www.WendysHeisman.com.

*Eligibility
Eligible high school seniors, slated to graduate in 2012, may submit an application online through Oct. 2, 2011. The first 30,000 students with completed applications will receive a Wendy's gift card valued at $10. From the completed applications, one male and one female winner will be chosen to receive the WHSH Award.

For more information, students can visit www.WendysHeisman.com, call (800) 205-6367 or contact their local high school principal, guidance counselor or athletic director. Participants can also "like" WHSH on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WendysHighSchoolHeisman for additional program details.  

Wendy's International Overview
Wendy's International is one of the world's most successful restaurant operating and franchising companies with more than 6,500 restaurants worldwide. Wendy's is a member of Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. (NYSE: WEN). More information is available at www.wendys.com, or www.wendysarbys.com.

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

Contact:
Matthew Williams
[email protected]
404-879-9149

Alissa English
[email protected]
614-764-6804

SOURCE Wendy's