Here are 19 Coloradans who have been named state finalists for the Wendy’s Heisman Award.
The award was created in 1994 by Wendy’s and the Heisman Memorial Trust and recognizes outstanding high school seniors nationwide who excel in athletics, academics and community leadership.
Local winners proceed to the next round of the program in which one male and one female student will advance to be named state winners. They will be selected on Nov. 10.
The 12 national finalists will be chosen from the pool of state winners and go on to compete for the National Winner title in New York City on Dec. 12. National Finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN networks and will receive a gold medal and a $2,000 award for their high schools.
One male and one female national winner will each receive a crystal Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy and a $500 gift card for use at Wendy’s restaurants, and Wendy’s will donate an additional $8,000 to each national winner’s high school. Additionally, they will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy announcement on ESPN on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. locals time.
Local Females
Kyleigh Bloyd, Fountain-Fort Carson
Bryna Burns, Rye
Riley Cooney, Mountain View
Rebecca Kaiser, Prairire
Morgan Hartigan, Paonia
Kendra Laron, Thompson Valley
Lindsey Marx, Horizon
Eva Morrison,, Liberty Common
Carly Perry, Columbine
Jordan Shumoski-Wagner, Frontier
Local Males
Dakota Burns, Pueblo Central
Dylan McNally, Loveland
Garrett Shaffer, Arickaree
Austin Shepherd, Rifle
Caleb Simington, Thompson Valley
Joseph Smits, Fort Morgan
Charles Stewart, Holyoke
De’Tuan Williams, Denver East
Christopher Willis, Lutheran
