Wendy's Heisman September 20th, 2007
This week I was able to talk with a former winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman, Mrs. Jill Scheulen, and ask her a few questions about her experience applying for and winning the High School Heisman. Here’s what she had to say.
Q. The first question that I have is when you were filling out your application did you have any idea that you’d be the national winner?
A. I remember filling out the application and thinking to myself, wow, it would be really cool to be a state finalist, but I had no idea it would ever go any further than the state or regional level.
Q. Secondly, I’m not sure how familiar you are with the current application, but how was your experience filling out the application? How long did it take you to not only answer all of those questions, but to get your application reviewed and sent in?
A. I also remember filling out the application when my principal got it to me. He actually only gave it to me days before the application was due, so my mom and I sat for a couple of evening filling it out and then I took an extra couple of days to write the essays. I think the whole process took several hours, but only because I wanted to make sure I did my very best in representing my school and who I was.
Q. And finally – How did winning this award effect you? Did it open any opportunities for you?
A. This award has affected me in every way. I am currently a middle school principal and the program still effects me today because I want our students to realize that school, athletics/activities and community involvement is critical even at their age. We actually have a club here at my school called “A Chase for the Heisman.” Students from all different backgrounds and socioeconomic groups meet each week for service learning, they play an activity each time together and they read articles together to try and break the achievement gap as a student group. This award is one of the best things that has ever happened to me because of all the wonderful people I have met and continue to be friends with. If I ever need anything, a Heisman colleague or staff member is there for me.
Thanks so much to Jill for taking time out of her busy schedule and answer a few questions that I’m sure plenty of you out there are thinking. Jill Scheulen was the 1995 winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman and has since gone on to become a middle school principle at St. Louis County school.