On the sports page, Nolan Henry is known as the quarterback for the Union football team.
Around the community, he is just as known for his community service.
Now, it appears the rest of the country will soon get a chance to know about Nolan Henry.
A senior, Henry was named one of six national finalists for the Wendy’s High School Heisman, an award program that recognizes “outstanding high school seniors who excel in athletics, academics, and community leadership.”
“It’s such an honor. I couldn’t have done it without all the people helping me,” Henry said. “The award means a lot to me and it should mean as much to all the people who have helped me out.”
Henry has been organizing a food drive with Clark County Youth Football since he was an eighth-grader.
Last winter, he raised more than $21,000 to organize a trip to Liberia for two-projects-in-one. With the help of his parents, veterinarians, he assisted with a poultry farm to “see how it could become more sustainable,” Henry said.
While there, he and his crew built a sports court at a nearby school, part of the Courts for Kids organization, a charity based in Vancouver. Henry was in Liberia for 10 days.
“Children didn’t have a safe place to play,” Henry said.
He also believes children can learn a lot of life lessons through sports, another reason he appreciates the mission of Courts for Kids.
“He is a great representation of what our school should be about,” Union football coach Gary McGarvie said. “His community service has always been amazing.”
McGarvie also is impressed with Henry’s time-management skills. Henry, he said, never misses a practice nor team function, yet always makes time to organize something for someone in need.
Henry and Camas swimmer Kasey Calwell were among the 19 statewide finalists. Henry said he knew the state winners were going to be announced soon, but he was surprised at school Monday with the announcement. Lindsey Schauble of Kamiakin High School in Kennewick was named Washington’s female winner.
Then Monday night, Wendy’s posted on its website that Henry was a national finalist.
The national finalists will travel to New York City in December as part of Heisman Week. A boy and a girl will be named the national Wendy’s High School Heisman winner.
Back to sports, Henry, who suffered a concussion in Week 7 against Camas, returned to full pads in practice Monday for the first time since the injury.
Do not look for him on the field Friday when the Titans play Federal Way in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs, though. McGarvie told Henry he would not play this week.
Henry said McGarvie is looking out for his well-being. It is frustrating because now that it is the playoffs, any game could be the last game. But Henry said he understood McGarvie’s decision.
“I have pride in my team and I have confidence that they can get it done and get me a chance next week to get back on the field,” Henry said.
