Saints Peter and Paul
Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse
There are high school athletes. And then there is Emily Granger.
The Saints Peter and Paul senior was selected from a nationwide pool of 48,000 student athletes to be named the female Wendy’s High School Heisman winner this past December. A panel of educators, business leaders, and past college Heisman and Wendy’s High School Heisman winners determined the regional and national winners based on applications and essays filled out by the students.
Granger was uncertain of what was ahead of her while awaiting word of her selection at the Best Buy Theatre in New York City.
“When I first heard my name, I was completely shocked,” Granger says. “I had just watched the videos of five other outstanding females and could not believe that I had been chosen. It was such an amazing feeling to be recognized among the presence of so many wonderful people.”
Granger, a varsity starter for basketball, soccer and lacrosse since her freshman season, will play lacrosse at Yale University, where she will be taking a variety of different courses during her freshman and sophomore years to determine whether she wants to major in the field of math or science.
Granger is no stranger to staying busy. As a member of Key Club, Pro-Life Club, Health Careers Club, Lectio Divina Club, National Honors Society, Peer Tutoring Organization and the school’s sports teams, managing time properly and keeping a positive balance in life has been a key to her success.
“For me, sports is not another stress added to my life, but instead is a way for me to relax, clear my mind, build relationships with friends, and challenge myself physically,” she says. “Sports are the eaks I look forward to each and every day. Some people take homework eaks to listen to music or watch TV, but I take eaks to play the games that I love.”
“Many of these clubs provide me the opportunity to get involved in my community and help others,” Granger says. “Being able to have a positive impact on the lives of the people around me is what I enjoy most about these clubs.”
Once she graduates from Yale, she would like to work in the medical field, specifically in pediatrics or physical therapy, where she can interact with many people on a daily basis.
For Granger, winning the High School Heisman has helped shift her perspective on those around her.
“Thus far, this award has taught me to be more aware of and appreciative for all the support that my school, family, and friends have given to me,” she says. “It is with the encouragement of the people around me that I have been able to accomplish all that I have.”
Story by Jake Russell
Photos courtesy of The Wendy's Company
