Kemp selected as Wendy’s Heisman winner

Nation Ford senior volleyball player Jessica Kemp has been selected as a Wendy’s High School Heisman Award winner and has a chance to be named as one of two state finalists this week.

Kemp was selected based on her academic and athletic achievements, as well as leadership within the community. She moves on to the next stage of the program for a chance to be named state finalist and for the continued consideration of the national award winner.

“I thought I had a good chance at getting it,” Kemp said, who had to submit an essay as part of the selection process.

Like the collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy, which goes to a football player selected by a panel as best in the nation, the Wendy’s High School Heisman Program honors elite student athletes. Kemp has a 4.3 grade-point average and holds the Nation Ford High School record for career kills with more than 1,000. She is committed to play for N.C. State next season.

“She is excited about getting (the Heisman),” said Nation Ford head coach Carrie Christian. “It is very well deserved. She works hard and has been dominant this year.”

Kemp has 450 kills this season, to go along with 132 total blocks, 52 solo blocked shots and 36 assists. For her high school career, she has 1,106 kills, 145 solo blocks, 333 total blocks and 58 aces. She has helped guide the Lady Falcons to a 36-13-2 record this season.

Outside of school, Kemp volunteers in the training room with special needs students in addition to working as a referee and middle school coach at Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club.

The state finalist will be named this week and following that announcement, the names of 12 national finalists will be announced – six men and six women. The finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to attend the awards ceremony where the two national winners will be announced.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 9:25 AM with the headline "Kemp selected as Wendy’s Heisman winner."