The News 12 Scholar Athlete Award, sponsored by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, is back.

This week’s award goes to Samantha Heyman, a senior at Half Hollow Hills East.

Heyman is the captain of three sports. Right now, it is tennis. Heyman is an all-state doubles player with the county team titles to her name.

Heyman is also the reigning flag football state player of the year. Last season, she had 78 touchdowns and led her team to the state finals. She says she loves seeing the joy the sport brings to her friends.

“It’s given them space where they feel respected in a sport that long excluded them. It’s so incredible being able to share that with people who think flag football is so cool,” says Heyman. “I love when they ask me what sport I’m playing.”

The third sport she plays is basketball.

Heyman has a 98 unweighted GPA and is on the debate team. She also volunteers for the Limb Kind Foundation, working with kids who have prosthetic limbs.

Like all of News 12’s Scholar Athlete winners, Heyman will get a $1,000 scholarship from FourLeaf Federal Credit Union. Congratulations to her.