Geibel senior wins Heisman ‘CREW’ award
CONNELLSVILLE – Geibel High School senior Jessica Vilella is excited that she will be attending the Heisman Trophy festivities in New York City on Dec. 13. Seventeen-year-old Vilella is the national winner of the Wendy’s Heisman “CREW” award, according to local sponsor and Wendy’s general manager Deb Petrone.
Petrone said Vilella was chosen for the award because she possesses three of the characteristics required by the Wendy’s High School Heisman committee, in the categories of Just Be Nice, Give Something Back and Do the Right Thing.
“The CREW award is an extension of the Wendy’s High School Heisman (WHSH) program that honors top scholar/athletes for juggling multiple responsibilities while maintaining good grades, playing sports and finding time to volunteer in their communities,” Petrone said.
Petrone said she nominated Vilella because she displays those traits through school, in her community and as a crewmember at work.
“Jessica’s winning smile, supporting attitude and courtesy toward customers, despite her numerous extracurricular activities, make her second to none at Wendy’s in Connellsville,” Petrone said.
Vilella has served as class president at Geibel for four years, is co-captain of the volleyball team, is a member of the basketball and track teams and is yearbook editor.
She is also secretary for the Western Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Board, a member of the National Honor Society, a Salvation Army volunteer and this year’s Geibel High School homecoming queen.
Petrone said ESPN will feature all 12 Wendy’s Heisman national finalists during a live broadcast of the Heisman festivities.
Vilella, who has never visited New York, said she can’t wait to get there.
“I was so surprised when my manager told me that I had been nominated for the award and that I had won,” she said. “I never thought that being a member of so many organizations and groups would distinguish me from others.”
Vilella said as a member of the Western Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Board, she teaches younger students how to be leaders in the world.
“I also help organize bell ringing for the Salvation Army, which is a student council function that we do as a Christmas service project,” said Vilella. “I am an altar server at St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church here in Connellsville, and I work at St. Rita’s street fair every year.”
Vilella said she will leave for New York on her 18th birthday.
“My mom, grandmother and my sister will all be going to New York with me, so we are all so excited and really looking forward to the trip,” said Vilella. “My mom and grandmother have been to New York before, but me and my sister haven’t.”
Vilella said the sponsors have set up tours of the city for the winners, and she is looking forward to seeing the Statue of Liberty and visiting Ground Zero.
“The Heisman Crew Award banquet and ceremonies will be held on Friday night and the actual Heisman Trophy ceremony will be held on Saturday from what I’ve been told,” said Vilella. “I’m not sure if we actually get to go to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, but someone said that we do get to party with the nominees after the ceremony, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Vilella said she is pulling for University of Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who has been nominated for the Heisman Trophy.
“It would be nice if he won because he is a local football standout,” said Vilella. “I know a lot of my female and guy friends want me to get autographs.”
After graduation, she plans to attend college; however, she’s not sure what she wants to study.
“I keep changing my mind,” said Vilella “so I think I’m just going to go undecided. I thought I wanted to attend an out-of-state college or university, but now I’m not so sure. My mother and I visited some schools this summer in Virginia, but I have also looked at schools in Pittsburgh.”