Bender named Wendy’s High School Heisman state finalist

Bender Kris Bender, a senior at Delphi Community High School, was recently selected as one of 10 male finalists from across the state in competition for this year’s Wendy’s High School Heisman.

Each year Wendy’s recognizes outstanding high school seniors throughout the nation with their High School Heisman competition. To be eligible for the award, students must exhibit excellence in academics, athletics, and community/ school leadership. Ten male and 10 female state finalists are chosen from over 300 high school-level winners previously selected.

As a state finalist, Bender and his parents were honored at a banquet hosted by Wendy’s at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 1, prior to the Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers football game. At halftime, Bender and the other state finalists were recognized on the field in front of a sell-out crowd.

This fall Bender led the Oracle cross country team to a pair of invitational championships and is now preparing for the upcoming Delphi basketball season. He will be a middle distance runner for the Oracle track team in the spring and last year anchored the school record setting 4 x 800 relay team that qualified for the IHSAA Regional.

His extra-curricular activities include senior class vice president, Delphi FFA vice president, Student Council, DARE Role Model, and a member of National Honor Society, Varsity D club, and French Club.

Upon graduation, Bender plans to pursue a degree in agricultural economics at Purdue University.

He is the son of Kevin and Denise Bender of rural Delphi.

Other area winners at the high school level include Samantha Mayhew from Delphi, Jared Collins from Carroll, and Megan Raderstorf from Twin Lakes.