Two Rector seniors named Heisman finalists

Rector High School student Clinton Haley was among 20 Arkansas high school seniors honored Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Wendy's High School Heisman Awards Presentation held at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.

RHS senior Stephanie DeMent also was a state finalist, but was unable to attend. Rector was the only school in Arkansas which boasted two finalists.

Tommy Smith and David Bazzel of 103.7 The Buzz were guest speakers for the event, which recognized some of the state's top students in scholastics, athletics and community service.

Mollie Arnold of West Side High School and Ryan Johnson of Quitman High School were honored as the state winners of this year's program.

Others in the top 20 were: Amanda Bradbury of Bauxite High School, Cendyl Carter of Dardanelle High School, Hayden Dunn of Lake Hamilton High School, Andrew Evans of Shiloh Christian High School, Braden Henderson of West Memphis Christian School, Mary Holman of Berryville High School, Dakota Kohler of JD Leftwich High School, Christy Lovell of Cedar Ridge High School, Jacob Midyett of Parkers Chapel High School, Bradi Mikula of Union Christian Academy, Joshua Persson of Sylvan Hills High School, Gabrielle Rowden of Greenbrier High School, Christian Ward of Guy Perkins High School, Russell Watts of Centerpoint High School and Boyd Williams of McCrory High School.

Jeff Voskamp, chief operating officer of Fourjay, LLC, which owns the Wendy's restaurants in Arkansas, said, "We are proud to honor the students who were selected as Wendy's High School Heisman state finalists in Arkansas. Being named a state finalist in this program is a great honor. The families, teachers, classmates and communities of this year's finalists should be very proud of them for this accomplishment."

Nominees must have at least a 3.0 grade point average, participate in at least one of 32 sports officially sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations and be active in their community.