NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - Niceville High School senior Jennica Hagberg has been named one of six national female finalists for the Wendy's High School Heisman award. The award is given to student athletes who excel academically and devote themselves to community service. Over 32,000 students applied for the honor this year.

"I was very surprised. I knew I was a state finalist, but I had no idea about the rest," stated Hagberg after the ceremony.

Her mother and volleyball coach, Kris Hagberg, learned about her award Tuesday, but kept it a secret from her high achieving daughter, who is in the top 1 percent of her graduating class.

Jennica is planning to attend Stetson University on a full volleyball scholarship next year. She has dedicated many hours to community service, including helping out with Desire Street Ministries, which relocated to Camp Timpoochee following Hurricane Katrina. She also tutored students from Lewis Middle School and played varsity soccer, managing to balance it all with a full load of stringent academic courses.

"A better recipient couldn't have been chosen," said Dr. Linda Smith, principal of Niceville High School. "She is an incredible young lady."

As part of the award, Wendy's donated a $2000 check to Niceville High School in Hagberg's name, and officials informed her that she is invited to attend the National Awards Banquet in New York City, which will be filmed by ESPN-2.

Niceville High senior Taylor Nune received an early-round nomination for the male Heiseman Award. The male and female national winners will be announced at the banquet in NYC.