Wayne Allen | Daily Times

School winners of the Wendy’s High School Heisman pose for a photo after a banquet in their honor at Buffalo Wild Wings on Wednesday.

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Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

Wendy’s held its annual High School Heisman celebration on Wednesday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Portsmouth. The event honored 48 student-athletes from 28 school districts. The students were chosen as their school’s winners of the Wendy’s High School Heisman.

“A day like today is real important because, we get to recognize our area youth and the students who have accomplished a lot on their own with the support of their parents and teachers,” said Scott Schmidt, franchise owner of several Wendy’s and other restaurants throughout Ohio and West Virginia. “I love hosting this event because the youth is our future. I have a lot of faith in our community and society, especially with these young men and women.”

According to released information, “the Wendy’s High School Heisman award was created in 1994. To date, more than 305,000 high school students have represented their schools with this award. The program consists of six stages of awards-applicants, school winners, state finalists, state winners, national finalists and national winners. The Wendy’s High School Heisman celebrated the achievements of the nation’s top high school seniors both in and out side of the classroom.”

The keynote speaker for the event was Beth Haney, a local business owner and mother of a Wendy’s High School Heisman award winner.

“You’re being recognized for your accomplishments on the field, court, in the classroom and in the community,” Haney said. “You have performed at a level that amazes and pleases your teachers, your friends, your parents and coaches.”

She said with being awarded the Wendy’s High School Heisman award comes a duty and a responsibility to continue to do good things.

“You kids and many more like you across the state and across the nation, give us older folks a bit of hope. We encourage you and hope you find the fortitude to maintain standards that have gotten you to this place,” Haney said.

Each year Schmidt offers a Wendy’s High School Heisman $1,000 scholarship to Shawnee State University. Only students who are a school winner and planning to attend Shawnee State University are eligible for the scholarship.

Among those honored locally include, Mariah Tackett of Clay High School, Jessica Monroe and Justin Crager of East High School. Austin Raines and Katherine Meehan of Glenwood High School. Robert Applegate and Jenna Crawford of Green High School.

Christian Riley and Mandi Kidder of Northwest High School. Marshell Corns and Jacob Milani of Notre Dame High School. Sarah Raies and Zack Kammler of Portsmouth High School. Nathan Blevins and Alexandra Hoggard of Portsmouth West High School.

Katelyn Hanes and Mitchell Richardson of South Webster High School. Brooke Cooper and Richard Howard of Valley Local Schools and Benjamin Arnold and Cassidy May of Wheelersburg High School.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.