Decatur’s Chetelat Named High School Heisman Finalist

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur standout Lindsay Chetelat has enjoyed a banner couple of weeks, finishing sixth last Saturday in the state Class 3A cross-country championship meet after being announced as Maryland’s female representative in the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Award competition.

Chetelat will represent Maryland in the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award competition, while Austin Wigley of James M. Bennett High will be the male representative for the state. Chetelat was chosen as one of 116 female and male state winners from across the country from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

She was chosen from a field of over 34,000 applicants from across the country, which was narrowed down to about 9,000 school winners and finally 116 state finalists. From there, the field will be narrowed to just 12 national finalists including six females and six males representing the brightest and best from around the country. Created in 1994, the Wendy’s High School Heisman program has celebrated youth excellence for 14 years.

The Wendy’s High School Heisman program, awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman Trophy Award, celebrates the achievements of the nation’s top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom. Just as the collegiate Heisman award is known for being the most prestigious award at the high school level.

Chetelat is now among the pool of just over 100 top high school scholar-athletes from around the country hoping to be one of the 12 national finalists for the Wendy’s Heisman Award. The 12 finalists are expected to be named by November 26 and those scholar-athletes will be invited to New York City on December 12 for all Heisman activities and an awards banquet, during which the national winners will be announced. The awards ceremony will be televised on ESPN2.

Chetelat’s inclusion among the state winners for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award continues great run for the Stephen Decatur senior. She recently won her third straight Bayside Conference cross country championship and earned to spot in the field for the state Class 3A championship meet at Hereford High in Baltimore County last Saturday. Chetelat turned in another outstanding performance, finishing sixth in the state meet out of a field of 144 top runners from across Maryland with a finishing time of 20:55. In addition, Chetelat has been named First Team-All State in cross-country three consecutive years.

Chetelat’s achievements in athletics are just a small part of her overall scholar-athlete profile. With a perfect 4.0 grade point average, Chetelat has been recognized by the AP Scholar Program, Maryland Distinguished Scholar Program, National Society of High School Scholars, Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and Ben Carson Scholar Program. 

She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, and Student Government Association, holding many leadership positions including secretary of the National Honor Society.  In addition, she has served as past class president for her sophomore and junior years.

In addition to Chetelat’s outstanding accomplishments in academics and athletics, she is passionate about community service.  Earning the Presidential Service Award for completing over 100 hours of volunteer service in one year, Chetelat is also a member of Connections, where she serves as the Stephen Decatur High School’s chairperson for two committees: Worcester County G.O.L.D. and the Surfrider Foundation.

“Lindsay Chetelat is a model student, a gifted athlete, and a concerned and involved citizen,” said Worcester Schools Superintendent Dr. Jon Andes.  “Because of Lindsay’s drive and pursuit of excellence, she will make a profound difference in the lives of many people.  We are proud that Lindsay is representing Worcester County Public Schools and the State of Maryland through this prestigious recognition.”