Jefferson County senior Lauren Eccles plays soccer, swims and competes in track for the Patriots. Now, she can add a new accomplishment to her high school career: Heisman winner.
Wendy's announced on Friday, Eccles is one of two national winners for the Wendy's High School Heisman.
The scholarship is a joint program between Wendy's and the Heisman Trophy Trust, according to the official website. Started in 1994, each year both a male and female are recognized for their outstanding work in the classroom, on the field and in the community.
Eccles was surprised with the news on Friday during an assembly in the performing arts center of the school with the different athletics teams, her friends, her coaches and teachers.
"It was a great feeling, it let me know how much I'm supported in my community and how much they hope for the best for me," said Eccles. "I've really grown up in a community that really supports each other and I just hope to bring that back to them one day."
The scholarship requires the winners to be a senior graduating in the class of 2019 with at least a 3.0 GPA. The student must participate in one of 47 approved sports and volunteer in their community.
Eccles is set to graduate in the spring with an associate degree from Walters State. The senior says she hopes to attend Georgia Tech in the fall and major in chemical engineering.
She and the male national winner will receive a $5,000 college scholarship as well as being recognized during the Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation on ESPN later this year.