Patrick Lee
Barrington High School
South Barrington, IllinoisRobert St. John Schreier

Patrick Lee honored at Heisman Ceremony

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Two days later on the plane back home, the sheer grandeur of the weekend still lingered in my mind. The other finalists were deeply-motivated and down-to-earth people, or in other words, simply amazing. More importantly, the atmosphere was not one of constant competition or comparison of accomplishments. Instead, it was more like a close-knit family gathering, and the camaraderie that ensued morphed into the greatest gift that receiving this honor afforded me: the chance to befriend the most inspired people I have ever met, and the opportunity to be a part of their lives. Despite the fact that we are physically spread out across the nation, no one is farther away than a phone call, and even now, a month after the glitz and glamour has worn off, we are all still inextricably linked together. The common memories that I harbor, ranging from the shock of seeing my face on a Times Square marquee to the late-night devouring of ham-and-pineapple pizza, are bonds that I couldn't break even if I wanted to. Heavy New York traffic was a blessing-in-disguise, for it gave me the time to get to know each of my peers on deeper levels: their struggles, hardships, quirks, and passions. Of course, when I naively revealed that I had masterminded the founding of a Harry Potter Club, the jokes and sly references to the magical world continued for the rest of the weekend.

For both days that I spent in New York, I did as much introspection as I normally might have done in six months. Being surrounded by kids that were just as ambitious and determined to reach their goals helped me realize the true nature of the award: it was not necessarily a harbinger of success or fame, but an acknowledgment that, up until now, our actions and lives had been characterized by sincere dedication and not a superficial desire to be on top. The drive to make a positive impact and change the world for the better was evident in all of us, but what was more astounding was the sheer diversity of paths that we planned on pursuing. I was definitely the only one there hoping to somehow combine the fields of journalism, medicine, and politics, whereas another finalist was intent on pursuing Nordic skiing.

Ultimately, the eleven additional phone numbers and email addresses that I came out of the weekend with are more valuable than any material prize that Wendy's could give me. Though the televised awards ceremonies at the Nokia Theatre and the dinner banquets with the collegiate Heisman winners are experiences that, in several decades' time, will make good stories for my grandchildren, in the present, I will strive to continue living by the spirit of the Wendy's High School Heisman: setting one's own standards and excelling for the sake of making a positive impact.

Editor's note: Wendy's high School Heisman (WHSH) recognizes the nation's most esteemed high school senior men and women for excellence in academics, athletics, and community/school involvement. Read about the program here and check out Patrick Lee's write up as a National Finalist:

http://www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com/national/patrick_lee.asp