Jacobs Senior Named National Winner of Wendy's High School Heisman Award

Source: District 300 press release

Jacobs High School senior Lauren Van Vlierbergen’s has been named the national winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.

Van Vlierbergen was one of six female national finalists for the award and was named the winner at the Best Buy Theater in New York City on Friday.

Van Vlierbergen was selected for her outstanding academic and athletic achievements, and leadership within her community.

“Lauren is an amazing young lady. We are so very proud of her for being recognized as the nation’s top student athlete through this prestigious award,” said District 300 Board President Anne Miller.

For 20 years, the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award has recognizes the achievements of exceptionally well-rounded students. Like the collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy, known as the highest award in college football, the Wendy’s High School Heisman Program honors the all-star performances of high school seniors in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.

One male and one female National Winner received the Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy. A donation of $10,000 will also be made to the winner’s high school and they appeared during the ESPN national telecast of the collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation on Dec. 13.

Van Vlierbergen is involved in cross-country, basketball and track & field at Jacobs. She was named an all-conference and all-cistrict athlete for three consecutive years for Cross Country and Track and Field and has set four school records.

She is a member of the National Honor Society and is s a VFW scholarship recipient and an AP scholar with Honors. Lauren is also involved in her community as President of the Girls on the Run program.

“Lauren’s commitment and passion toward all her endeavors, both athletically and academically, reflect the core values District 300 educators hope to instill in all our students,” said District 300 Superintendent Fred Heid. “I would like to congratulate Lauren and her family on such a tremendous accomplishment.”