Bethany Killmon, a nine-year member of the Dublin Hill 4-H club, based in in her hometown of Bridgeville, has been named the 2012 Delaware’s female winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Program Award.

Since 1994, the program has sought to honor “the nations most esteemed high school seniors in partnership with the Heisman Memorial Trophy® Committee.” A male and female winner from each state is named.  High-achieving students from 29,000 public and private schools are eligible for the award that recognizes seniors who are active in any of 27 school-sponsored sports, and who also maintain high academic standards and an active role in their communities.

Killmon applied for the program in the fall of 2012, and learned from a reporter at a cross country meet that she had won. “Applicants were asked to keep checking the website, but I was so busy I did not check,” Killmon said.

Busy is one way to put it. A senior at Sussex Tech High School in Georgetown, Bethany packs a great deal into her days, weeks and months as a student, scholar, 4-H’er and volunteer. In addition to her active role in her community 4-H club, Killmon also serves as an officer on Sussex County 4-H Junior Council and as a secretary for the Delaware 4-H State Teen Council.

At Sussex Tech, Bethany maintains a 97.26 un-weighted GPA where she is concentrating in two areas, Media Broadcasting and Criminal Justice.  Bethany also is enrolled in college-level courses at the University of Delaware and Widener University and takes AP courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, and Calculus.  Bethany is ranked 5^th in her senior class of 300 students.  She is involved in Key Club,  National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and the Jefferson Awards Student Leadership Team.

Bethany credits 4-H for much of her success across every field of endeavor. “I definitely feel public speaking is the biggest quality I have gained through the 4-H program, “Killmon said. “I use this skill in all I do whether it is for school projects or leadership in the field.”

In addition to the Heisman recognition, Bethany recently learned of another honor – the February winner of WBOC/Mountaire Scholar Athlete of the Month. “My cross country and track coach, Lou Nicoletti, nominated me for this award,” Killmon said. “I didn’t know anything about it until I won!”

From Wendy’s, Bethany received a Silver Medal, Heisman patch and a Wendy’s gift certificate in the mail. She received a $1000 scholarship for the WBOC/Mountaire Scholar Athlete of the Month, and becomes eligible for the Female Athlete of the Year that brings with it a $2500 scholarship.

From her 4-H community of members, leaders and Extension staff, Bethany Killmon has earned lasting affection and respect for her many years of service and leadership to others – a role model for what the 4-H motto means “To Make the Best Better.”