Time for a Proud Golden Tornado Mama to Boast

Congrats to this young man!! What an honor and a committment level to achieve it!! Best of luck in the future!!

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL and HIS FAMILY!!!!!

Great news about a kid who is gifted and uses those gifts wisely.

 

from one Eagle Scout and collegiate level playing baseball parent to another - many congrats to you, your son, and your family! As great as his accomplishments are, and it sounds like they are many, you are to be commended as well - for providing him the many opportunities that helped him succeed and the love and support that was necessary for him to succeed.

 

Congrats to Michael!!!!

AND to you Golden Tornado Mama~for your obvious love and support of your son!!!!!

 

Michael didn't win But watch ESPN2 6:30

Watch ESPN2 at 6:30 tonight for show.
More info later.

 

Unbelievable. Congratulations Michael. this is the kind of man that becomes a big time leader.

 

We had a great time!

We had a wonderful time in New York. Wendy's sure knows how to treat you right. This was a great opportunity for Michael. He got to meet some amazing people, and not just the other finalists. Wendy's brings back the former winners each year also. We got to talk to them and learn how this award has affected their lives.
Wendy's also provided everything for the Finalist and their families. And I mean everything. Two meals and a dinner banquet each day along with a nightly reception, admission to see the Rockettes, Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock), new Sports Museum which now holds the Heisman trophy, tour of "Ground Zero", bus tours of the city, limo rides from and to airport, plane tickets, hotel, and a VIP invitations to the College Heisman Award ceremony and reception. The former College Heisman winners and the three nominees for this year attended our banquet Friday night and the high school Finalist were given the opportunity to meet, eat with (at least one was assigned to each table) and get autographs. Since Michael is also a football player this was very special to him.
Of the six male finalists Michael was the only baseball player, one of two that played football and basketball and the only bowler. He was also the only five-sport athlete.
I recommend every qualified senior student-athlete next year complete this Wendy's High School Heisman application. Coaches need to get behind this also, it is a great honor. My advice if you want to advance beyond the state level is to made sure the student is involved in community service, especially service outside of their immediate community (The male winner this year went to Russia). This is especially hard for baseball players because they play ball all summer. You should be in the top 1% of your class, take the ACT as well as the SAT and have good scores, and be good in any sport you participate in. You don't have to be the best but it does help if you have hold at least one school record. But my most important advice is the complete the application with being the National winner in mind. (Michael's goal was just to advance past the school level since no one from Fairmont ever had. This was his mistake.) Find a place to list everything good you have ever done. This is the only application you will complete, even when you advance. This is the only time you get to "sell" yourself to the selection committee.
The process and application is long but it is well worth it. Michael and I will remember it for the rest of our lives.

As much as I can find from research, Michael is the first male National Finalist. North Carolina has had two female finalist and one female National winner. (We got to meet her, she now lives in Charlotte). I know we have more qualified athletes in NC and especially baseball players. They just need to apply.