As an added bonus to her Christmas vacation, Pocahontas County High School Senior Joy Walkup was informed that she had received the Wendy's High School Heisman award.

"I was excited," Walkup said. "It's a really nice honor to be recognized for something like that. I've played soccer for 12 years and I run track and jump in track."

Although most students find it difficult to balance academics and athletics, Walkup said the time crunch to handle both helps her succeed.

"I really feel I do better when I'm in sports and I have school to do because I feel like I have more of a time ethic," she explained. "I have a time I need to get everything done."

Walkup advises fellow student athletes that the balance is in making an effort to seek help with their school work.

"I would definitely tell them to see if they can get some tutoring or stay after school if they need to," she said. "Even if they have to miss a practice. I've had to do that before for tests. I know they can do it, because I can."

As Walkup makes the transition from high school student to college student, she will continue her athletic career.

"I'm actually planning on playing soccer," she said. "I'm going to try out for the team where I'm going to college, at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. If I didn't make the team, I would still play club soccer. I definitely plan to continue playing soccer."

The Wendy's High School Heisman is given to high school seniors who have at least a B average and participate in at least one of the 27 sports sanctioned by the National Federation of State High Schools. The award began in 1994.