Wendy's High School Heisman

We congratulate Garrett Gosse from The Meadows School in Las Vegas, NV and Selena Pasadyn from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, OH for being voted as the 2011 National Wendy’s High School Heisman winners!

Times Square was lively. The lights were on. And the candidates had arrived and taken their seats. It was a moment the 12 Wendy’s High School Heisman National Finalists had waited for since October 3. It was then the application date had closed and the “Will I be a winner?” thought started to go through their heads.

After more than 48,000 applicants, each National Finalist had raced through 3 of the 5 rounds having been announced as a School Winner, State Finalist, and then a State Winner. They then learned they had been selected as one of the 12 National Finalists and were brought to New York City. It was here where Garret Gosse and Selena Pasadyn were announced as the two National Winners live at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square.

Garrett Gosse, 2011 National Winner (Male)
The Meadows School. Las Vegas, NV
Garrett Gosse has earned multi-year All-State honors in all three of his sports which include football, basketball, and baseball. On the field, Garrett led his peers with the philosophy that “leaders need to take a little less their share of the glory, and a little more their share of the responsibility.” In addition to being an effective leader for his peers, Garrett has set several records along the way. This includes single game passing yards (468) with 6 TD’s in football, a state record for single game strikeouts (18) in baseball, and also became his high school’s career point’s leader in basketball. Off the field, Garrett has found himself as a Semi-Finalist for the National Merit Scholarship, a distinct honor rewarding those who have excelled in academics. For more on Garrett, click on his picture on the 2011 Results page for his complete bio.

Selena Pasadyn, 2011 National Winner (Female)
Brunswick High School. Brunswick, OH
Selena Pasadyn is a three sport athlete who participates in Swimming, Cross Country, and Track & Field while earning All-State honors in track. On the field, Selena set her school record in Cross Country with a 5k time of 18:15. She’s also gone on to set both her school and county records for the 3200M race in Track & Field with a time of 11:00:16. In addition, she also set her school record for the 1600M race (5:03:13). Off the field, Selena inspires with the mindset of “no matter what task is placed before me, I will work my hardest, determined and dedicated to accomplish the goal.” This has allowed her to excel academically which attributed to perfect scores in mathematics on both the ACT & SAT. For more information on Selena, click on her picture on the 2011 Results page for her complete bio.

Both Garrett and Selena will receive the following as part of their distinct honor of being named the 2011 National Winners for the Wendy’s High School Heisman program:

• National honor and recognition during ESPN’s national telecast of the collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation on December 10, 2011
• Wendy’s High School Heisman Trophy
• Heisman Patch
• $10,000 award donated to their high school in their name
• $500 Wendy’s Gift Card

Please tune-in on December 18 at 2 PM (EST), when ESPN2 will be airing the entire Wendy’s High School Heisman awards ceremony over national broadcast.

We asked several of our former national winners from the Wendy’s High School Heisman alumni base to offer advice for our 12 national finalists this year. Read what they had to say!

Jill Schuelen, National Winner, Class of 1995:
Principal of Crestview Middle School in St. Louis, MO
“Embrace your passion for all you have to offer this world. You are all amazing people and leaders and will forever have eyes on you. Model these great leadership skills no matter where you are or who is looking. Be true to yourself and others, but never forget that the power in changing the world comes in serving others to make them better than they are today. And never be afraid to utilize your new found Wendy’s High School Heisman family for help on future endeavors.”

Chase Correia, National Winner, Class of 2003:
4^th Year Medical Student, University of Nevada School of Medicine
“I always recommend that you take a moment during this incredibly exciting weekend and thank everyone who is here with you. Then, when you get home, take the time to thank those who have inspired, coached, and aided you in your accomplishments. Making it this far means that you have all achieved at the highest levels and should be proud, but it is important to recognize who has helped you along the way.”

Abby Badura, National Winner, Class of 2010:
Freshman at Princeton University
“Enjoy every moment of this absolutely incredible experience. I have cherished all of the memories that I made over Heisman weekend with all of my heart, and have made some of the greatest friends through this experience. Now, and in everything you do in the future, reach out to everyone around you, embrace every moment you spend with them, and take advantage of every opportunity that you are presented with!”

Kate O’Toole, National Winner, Class of 2000:
Postdoctoral Neuroscience Fellow at Tufts University Medical School
“Enjoy every moment of the Heisman weekend and cherish your last few months of high school. Carry your enthusiasm with you through college. Stay true to yourself and your goals and never stop striving to be your best!”

Rex Woodbury, National Winner, Class of 2010
Freshman at Dartmouth College
“Take advantage of the interesting and diverse people you’re surrounded with: all of you have accomplished great things and embodied similar values, goals, and aspirations. This is a reward for all of the hard work and long hours you’ve put in over the years in school, sports, and your communities. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: you’ve earned it!”

Abby (Miller) Zeldin, National Winner, Class of 1999
Sport Psychologist & Motivational Speaker
“Cherish and enjoy every moment of this special and memorable awards weekend. Feel proud of all of your amazing accomplishments and impressive feats that you have achieved thus far. Maintain a positive attitude; live your life to the fullest everyday; and continue to spread seeds of kindness and compassion everywhere you go. Lastly, make a conscious effort to live by Mahatma Gandhi’s influential and famous words, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” And remind yourself that you have already proven to be a true hero, a respected leader, and a great champion.”

During the weeks of November 7 and November 14 the Wendy’s High School Heisman National Finalists will receive surprise announcements. The first six finalists will be announced the week of November 7 and the second six finalists will be announced the week of November 14. We would like to extend our applause to these twelve National Finalists who were selected out of more than 48,000 applicants. Each National Finalist will receive:

• Invitation to New York City for the Wendy’s High School Heisman National Winner’s Awards Ceremony during the Heisman Memorial Trophy weekend, December 9-11. The awards ceremony will take place on December 10 and be broadcast live on ESPN telecast
• $2,000 award donated to the winner’s high school in the students’ name
• Gold medal
• Heisman patch
• $100 Wendy’s gift card

The complete list of the twelve 2012 National Finalists can be found on the 2011 Results page and have been announced to the press.