As the competition narrows for the 2012 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award program, 20 of Illinois’ top scholar-athletes were announced as state finalists for the award. Of the 45,000 seniors who applied nationwide, 1,451 applicants are from Illinois. Two of the finalists from each state, one boy and one girl, will be chosen as state winners, and then move on to the national competition Dec. 7.

Local finalists are Michelle Dobbs of Rochelle Township High School, Cassandra Reiley of Prophetstown High School and Tom McCormick of Oregon High School.

National finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN® networks and will receive gold medals and $2,000 for their high schools. One male and one female national winner will receive a crystal Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy, a $500 gift certificate to Wendy’s, and Wendy’s will donate $10,000 to each winner’s respective high school. Additionally, the winners will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast Dec. 8 on ESPN.