JACKSON — Out of 10 of the most elite male student-athletes in the state, Parklane’s Newlon Gillihan was recognized as the cream of the crop.
Gillihan was named the winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Scholarship and was honored at a banquet luncheon Thursday morning at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson.
Out of 20 finalists, 10 males and 10 females, Gillihan was one of two winners.
Kirk Academy’s Morgan Claire Rose was the other winner.
“I didnt’ expect to win. I didn’t really think I would be a finalist either, but it’s an honor, truly an honor,” the Parklane senior said. “I’ve been blessed, by the Lord blessing me with the opportunity to get this award. It’s just been a great ride my senior year and I’m just enjoying it.”
The scholarship, which was created in 1994 by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors who share Wendy’s values of community service, education and success on the athletic field.
Gillihan was a star on the field and in the classroom at Parklane. He scored a 32 on his ACT and he is the Valedictorian of his class. He was also named McComb Exchange Club’s Student of the Month.
On the field, he was named All-State in basketball for three years and All-State in football for the last two seasons.
In the community he was a counselor at Camp Sunshine, an Operation Christian Child volunteer, as well as a Meals on Wheels Volunteer.
“My mom (Tammy Gillihan) instilled that in me, hard work ethic and the lord blessed me and made it to where if I work hard, it’s achieveable,” he said. “All I do is keep working, keep doing the right thing and hopefully everything works out.”
Parklane head football coach Brian Stutzman was in attendance Thursday and complimented Gillihan on his leadership.
“He’s a leader in the classroom at the school. He’s a leader on the football field. He’s a leader on the basketball court,” Stutzman said. “He exemplifies what a student-athlete should be. He is definitely deserving of the award and we’re proud of him. I was excited to have the opportunity to coach him when I first came. He’s turned out to be a great one.”
Parklane’s basketball coach Drew Smith said Gillihan’s reputation extends beyond Pike County.
“This is big,” Smith said of the award. “It’s very special. Newlon’s reputation exceeds Pike County and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
