Two Heisman finalists at Delphi
Comet staff report

Put us in, coach! Delphi senior student-athletes Kyle Bender and Erika Hawn enjoyed free tickets to an Indianapolis Colts football game for being named top 20 finalists in the Wendy's High School Heisman program. Both were recognized on the field at halftime of last Sunday's game for their accomplishments in high school sports and given bronze medals, certificates and tshirts. They represent the first Wendy's Heisman finalist duo Delphi has produced according to principal Barry Stone. Photo provided

For the first time in school history, two students at Delphi Community High School were selected as top 20 finalists in Wendy's High School Heisman program. Seniors Erika Hawn, daughter of Julie and David Hawn, and Kyle Bender, son of Kevin and Denise Bender, were chosen from hundreds of applicants across the state.

Created in 1994, the Heisman program has celebrated youth ex- cellence for 14 years. The program consists of six phases - Applicants, School Winners, State Finalists, State Winners, National Finalists and National Winners. Entries are initially evaluated by ACT Assessment during the Applicant, State Finalist and State Winner phases and then passed on to a distinguished panel of judges.

"I feel honored to have been chosen as a state finalist," Hawn said. " The entire day was filled with events that I will never forget. The bonus of being recognized at halftime in front of thousands of people was remarkable. I can truly say that my first NFLexperience was incredible."

"I am very honored to be selected as one of Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalists," Bender agreed. "To have the opportunity to go to the Colts-Patriots game and be recognized on the field made the experience even more memorable."

The students were honored at a banquet in Indianapolis this past Sunday. Bob Lovell host of the popular Sports Talk Indiana radio broadcast was guest speaker. Hawn and Bender were recognized for their great accomplishments and given bronze medals, certificates and tee-shirts. As a special bonus, they, their parents and DCHS Principal Barry Stone were provided tickets to the Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots football game later that day. Also, at half-time of the game, Hawn and Bender were escorted to the field and recognized in front of 55,000 screaming fans.

"Erika and Kyle are much deserving of this honor," Stone said. "They are good students, good athletes and great role models at DCHS. It is an honor for DCHS to have one finalist, but to have two is special. They are a great representation of the type of student-athletes we have here at Delphi."