Gregorek, Willson named Wendy’s High School Heisman State Winners

Senior Sidney Gregorek in a 3-0 win over Amsterdam.
Senior Sidney Gregorek in a 3-0 win over Amsterdam.

Two Schuylerville High School student-athletes are being recognized as State Winners in the Wendy’s High School Heisman. Seniors Sidney Gregorek and Derek Willson were selected as the one female and one male from New York to each receive a $1,000 college scholarship, after advancing through three levels of competition. They will now will go on to compete for the title of National Finalist.

“These students are known by their teachers, coaches and friends for their leadership and commitment to excellence,” High School Principal James Ducharme said. “We are excited and honored that a national program is recognizing their hard work both in the classroom and on the field.”

Senior Derek Willson in a 49-7 win over Johnstown.
Senior Derek Willson in a 49-7 win over Johnstown.

Since 1994, Wendy’s and the Heisman Trophy Trust have honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed students. Gregorek and Willson were selected by the committee as students who display excellence and integrity both on and off the field. To qualify for the honor, student-athletes must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be leaders both in school and the community.

Gregorek is a captain on the varsity girls soccer team. She is also an AP Scholar, a Student State Board Member and was named to the Foothills Council’s All-Star Team last fall.

Willson is a running back on the varsity football team. He is also an AP Scholar, a Student State Board Member and has received several athletic honors, including being named to the Class B West Division All-Stars Team last fall and being named WNYT NewsChannel 13’s “Fidelis Care Athlete of the Week” this fall.

The National Finalists will be announced on Nov. 6.

About Wendy’s High School Heisman

The Wendy’s High School Heisman was created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas in 1994. Dave Thomas dropped out of high school when he was 15 years old in order to work full-time and went on to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history. While this nontraditional path led to his prosperity, it always worried Dave that others would follow in his footsteps and expect to achieve similar fame and wealth by not finishing high school or attending college.

Faced with this dilemma, at 61 years old, Dave enrolled at Coconut Creek High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and received his General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Inspired by this moment and with a desire to celebrate the outstanding achievements of youth in America, he launched the Wendy’s High School Heisman program. Twenty-two years later, Wendy’s High School Heisman has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors who share Wendy’s values of giving back to their communities, treating people with respect, continuing education and excelling on the athletic field.

The Wendy’s High School Heisman is a joint program between Wendy’s and the Heisman Trophy Trust, host and custodians of the Heisman Memorial Trophy®.