By Chad Garner
Special to the Sentinel & Enterprise
FITCHBURG — Fitchburg High School’s Emerson Scott and Andrew Brooks have been named to the group of 2018 Wendy’s High School Heisman school winners.
“These are two students who have grown immensely since their freshmen year,” said FHS Assistant Principal Albert Mercado said. “To see their growth — their athletics, their academics and their service work, it has really helped them become prime examples of what the Red Raider way is.”
Wendy’s has put a premium on high school students excelling in the classroom and in athletes, treating people with respect and giving back to their communities. Twenty-five years ago, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas started the Wendy’s High School Heisman to celebrate the positive achievements of high school seniors.
This marks the first time that two students from Fitchburg High School have been tabbed as school winners in the same year.
Last year, Fitchburg’s Landon Tucker was a school winner and state finalist. Florencia Rivas (2015) and Chelsea Deloge (2010) were also school winners for FHS.
Obviously, both Scott and Brooks take school and athletes seriously.
“Academics pretty much applies to sports,” said Brooks, the starting quarterback on the football team. “You can’t play a sport if your academics are not good. You have to go 100 percent on everything — minor homework assignments or big tests, because they are all the same.”
Scott boasts a 4.3 grade-point average, and Brooks has a 3.98 GPA.
Having exceptional time-management skills is also a secret to success.
“I’ve learned that you have to sacrifice some things to make sure you get other things done,” said Scott, who is on the MIAA Student Advisory Committee and is a member of the Current Events Club at FHS. “You have to get your priorities straight and realize that you might not be able to go to some social thing because you have work.”
Brooks was a class officer as a junior, and he helps out with the annual Longsjo Classic cycling race and cleaning up Park Hill Park.
His advice to younger students is about not being afraid.
“You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there, like community service, because that really helps you in the end,” he said. “It helps the community and yourself. Academics, you have to keep yourself up on the high level. Sports, you have to give it your all every day. There’s no days off.”
Scott, who will have completed nine AP classes by the times she graduates — the same as Brooks — focuses on being involved in the school.
“My biggest piece of advice is to do as much as you can, but don’t spread yourself out too thin,” she said. “Being involved in sports or band or anything, it helps you to do better in your classes. Definitely get involved in anything you can.”
