ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - After being named a School Winner on Wednesday afternoon, Rocky River senior Ava Rauser was named a State Finalist on Thursday for the 2018 Wendy’s High School Heisman, which recognizes students who give back to their communities, treat people with respect, continue their education, and excel on the athletic field.
From a total applicant pool for nearly 42,000 high school scholar-athletes graduating with the class of 2019, more than 7,500 have been named School Winners in Wendy's annual scholarship competition. Rauser is one of 967 State Finalists for the award.
The first RRHS student-athlete to be named a School Winner, Rauser was a four-year standout for the Rocky River HS volleyball team and has spent the last three years as a member of the track team, competing in high jump and relays. She was named a National Merit Semifinalist earlier this year and is committed to attend Harvard and play volleyball after graduation.
State Finalists will continue to compete for the chance to become State Winners, National Finalists or National Winners. State Winners receive a $500 college scholarship, National Finalists receive a $1,000 college scholarship and the male and female National Winners receive a $5,000 college scholarship and trip to New York City to attend the Heisman Trophy Trust’s annual college Heisman award broadcast on Saturday, December 8, 2018.
The State Winner will be announced on Nov. 7.