Senior Dalton Schoen was named one of the 12 national finalists for the 2014 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Schoen was rewarded for his achievements with a $100 Wendy’s gift card and a $2,000 donation to BVNW. Schoen will travel to New York City next month to receive his award in person from Archie Griffin, the only athlete to win two collegiate Heisman Trophies.

The criteria for the Heisman Award included things such as maintaining a 3.0 GPA, participating in at least one sport and establishing a role as a student leader. Schoen met all of these requirements and more, as he said he is still playing three sports while maintaining high academics. He tries to lead by example, which he said anyone can do if they are willing to put in the work.

Wendy’s field marketing manager Eileen Eilert said the founder of Wendy’s, Dave Thomas, believed that the students of today are important for the country’s tomorrow. She recognized Schoen for his achievements, highlighting the fact that he was the state winner before revealing that he would be advancing to nationals.

“We’re very excited, especially excited to have a Kansas winner,” Eilert said. “It’s very fun.”

Principal Amy Murphy awarded Schoen his silver medal at 9:50 a.m. today amidst his peers in his AP literature class. She said because of his incredible efforts to BVNW, he has made it such a great place to learn and grow.

“Throughout [Schoen’s] four years with us, [he] has become a role model for [his] peers and fellow community members by challenging [himself] both in and out of the classroom,” Murphy said.

Schoen said the award motivated him to continue playing sports and striving for academic success. His father, Kelly Schoen, said his son is very selfless but also self-driven. He said this has helped with Dalton’s recent successes in academics and athletics.

“You don’t have to tell Dalton to do his homework or to go to practice — he does all of that on his own,” Kelly said. “So you know as a parent that those are skills that will carry out throughout the rest of his life, not just at this stage.”

Kelly said he is thankful for the investment that teachers and coaches have made in his son and he believes they should be sharing some of the recognition with him. Dalton agreed, saying he would have never been in this position without his supporters.

“It’s a huge honor because I know that so many other people that applied to this are worthy of it,” Schoen said. “I’m thankful for all the teachers and coaches that have helped me through all the years so I could get to this point where I was able to receive this award.”

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Update: ESPN followed Schoen throughout his class schedule on Nov. 11 as part of their coverage of the 12 national Wendy’s High School Heisman Award nominees. A montage of all the nominees is in the making and a link will be added to this article in about a month when it is finished.