Wendy's® Names Twelve Outstanding Student-athletes National Finalists For The 2013 Wendy's® High School Heisman® Award

DUBLIN, Ohio, Nov. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's^® High School Heisman^® Award race continues! Wendy's recently surprised 12 exceptional high school seniors at their schools and named them National Finalists for the 20^th annual Wendy's High School Heisman Award. It's time for these young all-stars to pack their bags... Wendy's is bringing these students to celebrate their accomplishments in New York City. Of the 48,000 seniors who applied, Wendy's will recognize and honor these six young men and six young women at the Wendy's High School Heisman Awards ceremony at the Best Buy Theater on December 13, where one male and one female will be chosen as the National Winners of the prestigious award.

The Wendy's High School Heisman Award celebrates the achievements of the nation's top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom. Just as the collegiate Heisman is known for being the highest award in college football, the Wendy's High School Heisman Award is recognized as one of the most esteemed awards in high school because it focuses on academics, athletics and community involvement.

"For 20 years, the Wendy's High School Heisman Award has made a difference in the lives of remarkable high school seniors who strive to go above and beyond in the classroom, in the community and on the field," said Archie Griffin, two-time collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy winner. "These 12 National Finalists were hand-picked for their leadership in their schools and communities – they truly demonstrate what the Heisman represents, and we congratulate them for their success."

The 12 national finalists are listed below. To learn more, visit: http://www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com/2013finalists/.

FEMALE FINALISTS

Carolyn Carerra, Riverhead High School, Riverhead, NY

Rebekah Ehresman, El Paso-Gridley High School, Gridley, IL

Emily Granger, Saints Peter and Paul High School, Grasonville, MD           

Elizabeth Kroeger, Independence High School, Thompson's Station, TN

Briana Kuestersteffen, Norman High School North, Norman, OK

Marisa Pia Kwiatkowski, Adrian C. Wilcox High School, Sunnyvale, CA

MALE FINALISTS

Chandler Carroll, Yorktown High School, Alexandria, IN

Brett Conrads, Newton High School, Andover, NJ

Will Freeman, Spain Park High School, Hoover, AL

Justin Graham, Tumwater High School, Tumwater, WA

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

Landon Nault, Kingfisher High School, Kingfisher, OK

The National Finalists will be featured during the televised ceremony on ESPN2^® on December 15 and will receive gold medals and $2,000 awards for their high schools. One male and one female national winner will receive a Wendy's High School Heisman Trophy and a $10,000 donation from Wendy's to each winner's respective high school. Additionally, the winners will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast on ESPN^®, December 14.

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