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2005 National High School Scholar-Athletes
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HONOREE
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LOCATION
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REGION
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ATTENDING
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Thomas Bemenderfer |
South Bend, Ind. | Midwest | Northwestern University |
| Brandon Chase Fisher | Nashville, Tenn. | South | University of Montana |
| Ramsey Lafayette | Hampden, Maine | East | Harvard University |
| David Miller | Norco, Calif. | West | anticipated enrollment at the U.S. Air Force Academy |
With more than 1 million student-athletes playing high school football each year, the NFF chapter network reviews the credentials of players from thousands of high schools across the country. The local panels analyze local nominees for their academic excellence, leadership and athletic performance while awarding 2,500 student-athletes with $800,000 in annual scholarships. From the group of 2,500, the NFF annually selects four individuals for the prestigious recognition as National High School Scholar-Athletes. Launched in 1991, the award has become one of the most competitive and sought after high school honors in the country. Criteria for the award include but are not limited to grade point average, athletic accolades and leadership in the community.
“The National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards annually strive to honor the finest individuals at the high school level,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “This year’s four nominees are no exception. Their accomplishments both on and off the gridiron represent the absolute best among their peers.”
These four scholar-athletes were honored during the NFF’s Annual Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, December 6, 2005, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Later that evening, they were recognized in front of a sold-out crowd as part of the NFF’s 48th Annual Awards Dinner.
Thomas Bemenderfer
Midwest Region
Penn High School – South Bend, Indiana
Moose Krause Chapter
(Attending Northwestern University)
At the top of his class and top of the field, Thomas Bemenderfer has certainly excelled in astounding ways. The 2005 Midwest Region High School Scholar Athlete has been honored countless times for his leadership, football and wrestling accomplishments and impeccable academic record.
“I attempt to do my best in the classroom and in athletics. I use the same focus in the classroom as I use in sports,” said Bemenderfer. “This is an extreme honor to receive such a prestigious award from the National Football Foundation.”
Earning valedictory honors in a class of 617, his amiable nature also garnered the Penn High School’s Kingsman of the Year award, an honor chosen by the student body for the most respected and dedicated student. Bemenderfer has been an active member of his community through Big Brother/Big Sister programs and participation in the 4-H Club. He was granted the Kiwanis Leadership Award and induction to the National Honor Society and Foreign Language Honor Society throughout his years at Penn.
Despite a rigorous academic and extracurricular schedule, Bemenderfer was able to devote more time and passion to football than the average student-athlete. As an astounding force on the offensive line, Bemenderfer earned All-State and All-Conference honors as offensive tackle his junior and senior years. He was also named Burger King Outstanding Student-Athlete, Indianapolis Colts Academic All-Star, State of Indiana High School Academic All-Star and was a Wendy’s Heisman Award finalist.
He was named to Indiana’s “Tremendous 26” squad, Bloomington Herald’s “Big 33” and South Bend Tribune’s “Dream Team” as both a junior and senior.
Bemenderfer’s résumé of achievements can seem to go on forever, as does his display of superior character and personal zeal. His coaches at Northwestern have already noticed Thomas’ uniqueness.
“He seems like a quiet boy in character, pays attention to detail and is very respectful,” said Northwestern Offensive Line Coach James Patton. “But on the field, he is extremely fired up with passion for the game. He will be a significant force on our team.”
In addition to playing football at Northwestern, Bemenderfer has enrolled for a pre-medical concentration.
Brandon Chase Fisher
South Region
Christ Presbyterian Academy – Nashville, Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Chapter
(Attending the University of Montana)
Christ Presbyterian Head Football Coach Jay Mathews remembers a time last fall when senior safety Brandon Fisher left the game for 10 minutes due to injury.
“We couldn’t even line up straight on defense during the time he was out,” Coach Mathews said. “We couldn’t stop anybody. When Brandon came out of his fog, and made it back onto that playing field, we started clicking again. He made that much of a difference for us.”
Football was just one of the many things Fisher excelled at during his years at Christ Presbyterian Academy. A three-year starter at safety, Fisher led the team in tackles his junior and senior years and was a two-time TSWA All-State selection. During his junior season, Fisher also received First Team All-County and Second Team Tennessean All-Midstate honors. With his leadership in the secondary, Christ Presbyterian captured the state championship in 2002.
“Brandon was the heartbeat of our program when he was here,” said Coach Mathews. “He cared so much and worked so hard, everybody on the team embraced him and fed off of him. They loved him as a leader.”
Fisher’s accomplishments off the gridiron were equally as impressive. His transcript is littered with A’s in a curriculum that included Calculus, Chemistry and Computer Science. He received Headmaster’s Honors each of his four years in school. He was a member of the National Honor Society, a Governor’s School Nominee and a class representative in the student government. All this made another coach beam when talking about Fisher’s achievements.
“I’m can’t say how proud I am as a parent that my son will be representing the South Region as far as this award is concerned,” said Fisher’s father Jeff, head football coach of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. “[This award] is such a terrific program recognizing the importance of not only athletic accomplishment, but more importantly academic accomplishment and those things that take place off the field. I am very proud as a parent of [Brandon’s] accomplishments.”
Fisher currently attends the University of Montana where he lines up at free safety for the Grizzlies.
Ramsey R. Lafayette
East Region
Hampden Academy – Hampden, Maine
State of Maine Chapter
(Attending Harvard University)
Awe-inspiring is the only word to describe 2005 Eastern High School Scholar-Athlete Ramsey Lafayette. Praised by his coaches and teachers as a “truly gifted boy,” “determined young man with a passion for life,” and “the best that [Hampden] has to offer,” Lafayette is truly in a class all his own.
Throughout the course of his high school career, this young man stood out as a leader on and off the field. His admirable academic achievements and extracurricular involvement won an induction into the National Honor Society and the seat as President of his class four consecutive years. He obtained numerous honor rolls, was a member of the Key Club, Math Team, Jazz Band and Leadership Club. His accomplishments earned him All-Academic Football Team honors all while juggling a demanding course schedule.
Aside from his outstanding academic performance, Lafayette is a striking athlete and formidable opponent. As a varsity starter for four years and team captain for three, he was considered one of Maine’s top linemen. On the defensive line, Lafayette led the league in quarterback sacks his junior year earning All-Conference honors as a defensive end and All-State honors as an offensive guard.
Strenuous cancer treatment prevented him from finishing his senior season, but the setback fueled Lafayette’s determination to succeed. He quickly re-emerged with an even greater presence in the classroom and on the track field, where he became State of Maine Shot-Put Champion.
Among his exceptional achievements in the community, Lafayette opened an Internet café in his neighborhood; coached in a youth football league; and traveled to Ecuador to help build playgrounds for the less fortunate.
Ramsey Lafayette currently attends Harvard University, taking pre-medical classes and playing as a valued member of the Crimson football team.
David M. Miller
West Region
Norco High School – Norco, California
Riverside County Chapter
(Enrolling next fall at the U.S. Air Force Academy)
A true leader, who has earned the respect of his peers on countless occasions, David Miller’s athletic and academic exploits placed him at the head of a large student body that topped more than 600 seniors at Norco High School (NHS).
“Everything David accomplished in high school, whether athletically, academically or in [extracurricular activities], he did as a leader,” said NFF Riverside Chapter President Bob Burt, whose chapter nominated Miller for the West Region Award. “In such a large school, to stand out the way he did in high school is very impressive.”
Named 2005 Norco High School Athlete of the Year, Miller captained both his football and baseball teams and started as the center on the basketball team. On the gridiron, Miller earned First Team All-Mountain View League and All-CIF honors as a tight end, and three times earned honors as offensive player of the week. The Press Enterprise named him to their All-Riverside County team in 2004, while the LA Times recognized him as All-Inland Empire that same season. Miller also earned first team All-Mountain View League in baseball while leading his team to the league championship his senior year.
Off the athletic field, Miller graduated fourth out of 638 students in his class. He earned league academic honors in four sports (football, basketball, baseball and water polo) and was named a Distinguished Honor Graduate by his school for graduating with better than a 4.0 GPA. Miller’s classmates elected him as athletic commissioner of the NHS Associated Student Body, while the administration nominated him to serve on the NHS Athletic Council. He served as a student representative on the NHS WASC committee, an accreditation council, and represented his school at the California Boy’s State Delegation following his junior year.
“You see all of his elected positions, and it’s amazing to realize how much respect he has amongst his peers,” said Burt.
Miller attends Saddle Back Community College while rehabbing a knee injury, and he plans to enroll at the United States Air Force Academy next fall with hopes to play football for the Falcons.
