November 13, 2009
Will Sievern named national finalist for high school Heisman awards
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Will Sievern looked pleased when he heard the announcement of state honors, but his announcement as a national finalist knocked him backward a few inches.
Sievern, a senior at Memorial High School in Evansville, was named one of 12 national finalists for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.
The announcement came on stage at Memorial’s auditorium from a Wendy’s representative during a surprise school assembly Nov. 10. Principal Gwen Godsey acknowledged Sievern and Susan Featherstone as the two school winners, but then announced, “but there is more.”
The state award provided Sievern with a silver medal. The national finalist status will provide him with a trip to New York for the weekend of Dec. 10-12, for Heisman weekend activities including participation in the nationally-televised awards ceremony broadcast on ESPN2. A crew from ESPN was also scheduled to follow Sievern through his school day on Nov. 13.
His selection for the honor also brings a $2,000 donation to Memorial High School.
Sievern was one of some 50,000 applicants for the honor. Sievern’s list of achievements already numbers several pages. He is an Eagle Scout, a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, president of the school’s German club, and Southwest Indiana Arts Council 2009 Young Artist of the Year, to name a few.
His musical achievements include Evansville Philharmonic awards for piano, and serving as the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Principal Cellist.
His athletic achievements are in the area of track, cross country and soccer.