Enumclaw High’s Lauren Redman has been named as on of 20 of Washington’s top scholar-athletes for the 2009 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award program. More than 50,000 seniors applied nationwide and from that group, 10,848 school winners were selected. The 20 Washington state finalists were chosen from these winners. The finalists embody the Heisman spirit of hard work and dedication through their achievements in athletics, academics and community/school leadership.

Just as the collegiate Heisman is known for being the most prestigious award in college football, the Wendy’s High School Heisman, now in its 16th year, is one of the most prestigious awards at the high school level.

Twenty of Washington’s top scholar-athletes are now in the running to become state winners. Saturday, one male and one female from Washington were named state winners, and will go on to compete for the national winner title in New York City Dec. 11. Those results were not available at press time. National finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN2 and will receive a gold medal and $2,000 award for their high schools. One male and one female national winner will receive a Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy and Wendy’s will donate $10,000 to each winner’s high school. Additionally, the winners will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast on ESPN Dec.12.