Dia Chawla, a senior at Pillow Academy in Greenwood, is one of six female high school students in America who are finalists for the National High School Heisman Trophy. The award and scholarship is given to a top high school male and female student athlete annually. The winners must show success in multiple sports, academics, leadership, and community service.
On Monday, the Heisman Trophy Trust announced that Dia had been selected as the finalist representing 8 states in the Southeast. She is one of six regional winners that are now finalists for the national award and scholarship. Dia was announced as the state of Mississippi's winner on November 1st.
Dia has earned many accolades, including:
Athletic
- 7 year starter on Pillow Varsity tennis team; three time state finalist, one time state champion in singles; two MAIS team state championships, captain of varsity tennis team; six Mississippi USTA titles
- 4 year starter on Pillow Varsity dance team; captain of dance team; two time team state championship; numerous competitive dance awards
- 3rd year player on Pillow Academy Varsity basketball team; reserve on 2020 Overall state championship team
Academic
- Top GPA in Class of 2022
- Perfect score of 36 on ACT Test
- National Merit Semifinalist
Leadership
- Pillow Academy Student Body President; Class President for 3 years
- National Honor Society President for Mid-South Association of Independent Schools and also for Pillow Academy
- Founder of ACT Diversity Class of Greenwood
Community Service
- Teaches free ACT Prep for students at Greenwood High School and Pillow Academy
- Volunteered for Boys and Girls Club during Pandemic, giving out assignments and tutoring
- Worked as student volunteer at Greenwood Leflore Hospital
- Worked as a student volunteer at the Museum of the Mississippi Delta
The national High School Heisman award winners will be announced on December 1, 2021. The winner will travel to New York and be honored during the College Football Heisman trophy presentation on ESPN. Dia's brother Sunjay was the male National High School Heisman winner in 2018, the first and only time a Mississippian has won the award.
