20 finalists selected for Wendy's Award

Advertiser Staff

Twenty Hawai'i high school seniors have been selected as state finalists for the 10th Annual Wendy's High School Heisman Award.

The students — 10 males and 10 females — are being honored for their academic excellence, athletic accomplishments and high level of community involvement.

The award was created in 1994 by Wendy's restaurants in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Heisman Memorial Trust.

The finalists are Elliot Buccat (Saint Louis), J.J. Eno (Baldwin), Brandon Estrella (St. Joseph), Cy Hiyane (Moanalua), Damon Jones (Iolani), Brian Klein (Maryknoll), Jimmy Miyasaka (Kaimuki), Matthew Nakashima (Kalaheo), Nicholas Smith (Wai'anae), Randall Tom (Seabury Hall), Tamarah Binek (Waiakea), Tia Ferguson (Seabury Hall), Catherine Greenlee (Iolani), Shell Hamilton (St. Joseph), Jenna Johnson-Endo (Radford), Tonya McBride (Kala-heo), Lisa Mikami (Moloka'i), Mika Tanji (Moanalua), Chelsey Villanueva (Kapolei) and Diana Wan (McKinley).

State finalists receive a bronze medal and advance to the next phase of the program.

During each phase, the field is narrowed to determine which students will advance. As students progress, they are judged by a panel that includes past Heisman winners, as well as leaders in education, business, athletics and community service.

On Nov. 5, one male and one female will be selected as the Hawai'i state winners. By the end of November, the state winners will be narrowed down to 12 national finalists. Those finalists will travel to New York City on Dec. 14, when one male and one female will be named Wendy's High School Heisman Award recipients.