Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

East's Marden surprised by Wendy's award

Olathe East senior Libby Marden went to school Thursday thinking it was just a normal day, so she was a little surprised when she was called to the gymnasium around 10:40 a.m.

Marden was even more surprised when she entered the gym to the thunderous applause of a few hundred East students, teachers and administrators, the sort of thing that only happens to most high schoolers when they're daydreaming.

Marden stood in the doorway, shocked and not quite sure what to do, until she was called on stage by East athletic director Ryan Ralston. There, flanked by her parents, she learned that she was one of six female finalists for the national Wendy's High School Heisman Award.

Mpoyo Mulongo, East's male candidate for Wendy's High School Heisman, was also honored. Though Mulongo didn't make it as far in the process and didn't receive the same amount of attention Thursday as Marden, he was a good sport about it.

Marden received a large medal for being the Kansas Wendy's High School Heisman winner and earned a free trip to New York to represent the Southwest Region (Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) at the national award selection banquet on Dec. 12.

There were more than 34,000 applicants nationwide for the Wendy's Heisman, which is based on academics, athletics and community service. Though a standout in tennis and cheerleading as well as in the classroom, Marden never thought much of her chances.

"Basically, in the counselor's office they were like, 'You should fill this out — it's for sports and academics and stuff,' " Marden said. "So I went ahead and applied for it like two months ago. I didn't expect this."

The surreal nature of it all will probably blur Marden's memory of Thursday's event, but there were plenty of videographers recording the proceedings.

Ralston, East principal Tom Barry and two representatives from Wendy's took turns praising Marden while she sat with her parents, smiling and trying to process what was going on.

"I was still in shock," she said.

The gathering in the gym was also to honor eight Hawks that were signing with college athletic programs. The announcement of Marden's award stole their thunder a little bit, but most of them just seemed to enjoy being in on the surprise.

"That's an amazing accomplishment for Libby," said East senior Ali Boehler, a close friend of Marden who signed to play volleyball at Missouri Southern University. "I love her."

The excitement is just beginning for Marden. At the Dec. 12 banquet she'll meet two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, an Ohio State legend. She'll also receive another medal, a $100 gift card and a $2,000 check for East.

Oh, and ESPN cameras will follow her around at school Friday, compiling footage for a segment to run during the network's coverage of the New York banquet if she wins the national award. Which brings up the only possible downside to the whole experience.

"My cheerleading coach already warned me that we're going to have to have a long practice today after school," Marden said. "Because if we're not ready to show (our) Cheer Fest (routine) tomorrow during class there's going to be a problem."

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