Connetquot and Hill East students win News 12's Bob Wolff memorial scholarships
This year's winners of the News12 Bob Wolff Memorial Scholarships are Connetquot High School's Declan Doran and Half Hollow East High School's Samantha Heyman.
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One answered the door just before he had to leave for work.
The other thought grandma was just coming over for a backyard lunch.
But both were surprised to see News 12's Kevin Maher standing there with $2,000 in scholarship money for each of them.
This year's winners of the News12 Bob Wolff Memorial Scholarships are Connetquot High School's Declan Doran and Half Hollow East High School's Samantha Heyman.
Declan and Samantha were two of the 30 News 12 Scholar Athlete Award winners we honored this year in partnership with FourLeaf Federal Credit Union.
The Bob Wolff Memorial Scholarships are surprise awards that go to the scholar-athletes that stood out among the field.
"I honestly did not expect it all," said Doran after being surprised with the award shortly before he left for work as a lifeguard.
Declan had a 104.8 GPA, the second highest ever at Connetquot High School.
He was an all-county swimmer and set three school swimming records.
He also won a national science competition, led a peer tutoring program at his school and is an Eagle Scout with the Boys Scouts of America.
His advice for incoming high school seniors?
"The hardest stretch is always the final stretch. Just stick with it and it'll be worth it in the end," said Declan.
Samantha was a three-sport All-County star in high school.
Her biggest accolades came in flag football. She helped form the team as a freshman and then led the team to county championships and a state championship as a senior. Samantha played quarterback and was the two-time Class-A player of the year. She said she's proud to be a trailblazer at the school.
"You might be afraid, but you never know what's going to happen unless you take that leap of faith. You never know the possibilities and they are endless," said Sam after receiving her award.
Sam also volunteered for the Limb Kind Foundation that helps kids who use prosthetics.
She had a 98 GPA and was also a member of six honor societies, the LI math fair and the speech and debate team.
Samantha will attend the University of Texas. Declan is headed to Hamilton College.
Congrats to both!
