Five Long Islanders named finalists for Wendy's High School Heisman Award

Five Long Island high school seniors are among 20 state finalists in New York for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, which is given annually to one male and one female student for excellence in athletics, academics and community leadership.

Carolyn Carrera from Riverhead High School, Erin Neville (Commack), Kathleen Ford (South Side), Darren Davy (West Hempstead) and Brian Keohane (Mepham) are in the running to advance to the next phase of the program.

One male and one female finalist from each state will be named as state winners on Nov. 4. Of those state winners, 12 will be chosen as national finalists and will go on to compete for the the title of national winner on Dec. 13. National finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPNand will receive gold medals and $2,000 awards for their high schools. One male and one female national winner will receive a crystal Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy, a $500 gift certificate to Wendy’s, and Wendy’s will donate $10,000 to each winner’s respective high school. Additionally, the winners will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy announcement on ESPN, Dec. 14.

Students are selected to advance during an “extensive judging processes conducted at both state and national levels,” according to a press release.

Nearly 50,000 seniors applied nationwide, the release said, with 1,199 applicants coming from N.Y., for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, which was created in 1994.