Pair of Florida student-athletes up for Wendy's High School Heisman award

Colin Myrick of Freeport High School and Devin McDermott of Lakewood Ranch High School (Bradenton) have been selected as national finalists in the 2011 Wendy's High School Heisman Award Program. Although nearly 48,000 applications were submitted by students and high schools across the country, only six male and six female students are able to advance to this level each year. It is a great honor and testament to each national finalists' achievements.

Since 1994, the award has honored high school athletes who display exceptional leadership in the classroom, on the playing fields and in their communities. Each application was scored and documented by ACT, one of the nation's leading scholastic testing services, and each finalist has been selected by a distinguished panel of national committee members, composed of leaders in education, business, sports and government.

Each national finalist will receive either a commemorative medal or trophy, depending on their levels of recognition. Each of these tokens is personalized. All 12 students are invited, along with a parent or guardian (principal, coach or guidance counselor), to attend a banquet in New York on Friday, Dec. 9, where the announcement of the  2011 national winners, one male and one female, will be made.

Following are details regarding what each student will receive:

• A personalized medallion featuring each student's name and high school name
• A total of $2,000 In monetary awards granted to the high school of each national finalist
• A total of$10,000 in monetary awards granted to the high school of each national winner (one male and one female)
• Each national winner will receive two personalized trophies, one for themselves and one for their high school
• Round-trip airfare with a parent/guardian from their departure city to New York
• Shuttle service to/from the airport and accommodations at the Marriott in New York City
• Letter for school jacket