The power of determination

For SGHS senior Sam Perkins, football will always be more than just a sport—it will be a life lesson in courage and unity. Sam’s journey of resilience began at age 16, with a shocking cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2023. His perspective was both profound and simple. “Bad things happen to the best of people, regardless. You just have to work hard and hope for the best while preparing for the worst.” With this mindset, he faced every challenge—physical or academic—with the same focus he had on the football field. 

“You have to give Sam all the credit in the world. He not only had to focus on his health but also catch up academically after missing an entire year of school,” Principal Peter Bednarek said. 

For Sam, not coming back, or catching up, was not an option. “I had no other plans but to come back and play. It was going to be good for me either way. The discipline, the pain it took, it was all worth it,” said Sam.

#PerkStrong

“Sam is a remarkably strong young man with a great family. They did an incredible job taking care of each other while navigating these challenges—and support for Sam radiated from the entire community,” Superintendent Susan Swartz said. “The Perkins’ are well entrenched in both football and the Scotia-Glenville school system. Sam’s older brother Nathaniel is in his first year of college and works for the district, and his younger brother Nicholas is in 10th grade and part of the high school football program, and there’s Thomas, coming up through the middle school and playing youth ball.”

A family’s strength

“We are Tartans! My brother is a football coach, we have two other players, and my dad is involved in our training— it helps a lot,” Sam said. The brothers fondly described many afternoons with their father that seemed to stretch on forever. Coming down to Hitchcock Field every summer and testing their 40s, and throwing the football around—just being together. Nicholas said, “One of my favorite memories is me, Sam, and Thomas. We’d just grab a ball and play our own version of three-man football,” he said. “We’d have a center who’s also the receiver, a quarterback, and five plays to get to the other side of the yard for a touchdown. We could play that for hours!” 

In their own playful way, those backyard games taught Nicholas valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance—qualities he admires in Sam. “He means the world to me, man. All my brothers do. My entire family does,” Nicholas said with a voice filled with love. “All of our boys rally around each other,” James, their father, said with tears brimming in his eyes. 

Every day has been a test of resilience, not just for Sam, but for the entire family. “All I could think about was how do we fix this? This can’t be happening,” said Sara Perkins, Sam’s mom. Sara found herself navigating one of the toughest years of her life, overwhelmed not only by the challenges that came with her son’s leukemia diagnosis, but also by the recent loss of her father to a different type of cancer. At one point, Sam and her dad were being treated at the same time on different floors at Albany Medical Center.

Among her own fears, Sara could sense the urgency in Sam’s heart. “The first thing he asked his oncologist was, ‘Can I play football this year?’ and she said no. Then he asked, ‘What about next year?’ She said she would do her best to get him back on the field,” Sara added, illustrating the bond Sam’s doctor and he shared over their love of the sport. In witnessing Sam’s evolution through the ordeal, she felt immense pride. “He was a pretty tough kid to begin with, but I think this year made him tougher,” she remarked. “This determination, this spirit—he’s unbreakable.”

Tartans and teamwork

When Sam’s diagnosis changed everything, Nathaniel Perkins admitted, “I was more scared than anything, but I was also sad that he couldn’t play his junior year because he was in the best shape of his life at that time. He was the strongest he’s been, the fastest he’s been. He had already locked down two starter spots for that season.” Nathaniel remembered urging Sam out into the garage for their first workout together. “I told him if he wanted to play his senior year, he had to try as soon as possible.” Sam agreed. 

“When I first started working to get back, I was extremely weak because my body broke down from the treatment. And the weights I used to do compared to what I had to start with were vastly different. It hurt my pride, a little bit, but I understood how that happened.” Sara marveled at her son, “There was one type of chemo that he had to go every five days and he lifted weights every morning before we left for chemo. That was incredible. The doctors were incredibly impressed. It was his sheer will power that he was going to be back on the field and he promised my dad that.”

Sam’s struggles became benchmarks of strength. “I’m so proud of what he was able to do,” Nathaniel said, “Sam rose to the challenge, putting on about 30 pounds of muscle, working out diligently, and regaining his strength—and he did it all in a fraction of the time.” Their journey together through this forged a powerful connection, reminding Nathaniel that the strength of family and the spirit of perseverance can conquer even the toughest of challenges. 

Academic achievements

Sam’s adaptability and discipline extended beyond the football field. He also established to graduate on time alongside his class. As his junior year progressed, Sam’s resolution impacted his academics as well. “I don’t want to brag, but I managed to complete most of the year’s work in just a few weeks, surprising myself. I took all my finals and passed every single class with flying colors.”

“He did all the work on the couch on the computer,” James recalled, his voice thick with emotion. “And what did I say to you? Just do a couple hours a day.” Those simple words had transformed into a father and son mantra, a reminder of how small steps could lead to incredible achievements.

Building momentum

“He took tests across several grueling days and ended up with impressive grades. It’s astounding to see how he has managed to not only graduate on time but excel academically amidst everything,” said Principal Bednarek. “Graduation is the highlight of the year for me. This year will undoubtedly be special, not just for Sam but for his classmates and teammates. There might not be a dry eye in the crowd when he walks across that stage,” he said. 

Looking at his brother’s ability to stay on track, Thomas felt a mix of awe and disbelief. “I’m ecstatic about that because I could never do that. I don’t think I would’ve done a single piece of work that year,” the eighth-grader said. Thomas admired how Sam approached his recovery with grit, recalling how Sam would practice catching with his chemo port still in. “We made a joke that it made his hands better because he was protecting his port!” 

Those memories, filled with laughter and camaraderie, were treasures to Sam, anchoring him to the warmth of family unity. Each brother brought a unique kind of support, making sure laughter broke through the heaviness whenever possible. James and Sara cherish those moments—the joyous sounds of their sons together, the sibling banter, and the warmth of their loving bond. “As a family, we are so important to each other,” Sara affirmed. “We are a team in and of itself—Team Perkins will always roll together.” 

Feeling a sigh of relief as this school year approached, Sara said, “I didn’t know that we were ever going to get to this point. There were so many unknowns. The treatment was harsh, and I worried about how he would handle it. But to be where we are now. It’s just amazing.” Sara expressed how the outpouring of empathetic gestures and actions made a significant difference as they navigated the complexities of their situation. She couldn’t help but recognize the power of his story. “I’ve had people who have seen what he has been through—and how inspiring he is to others dealing with cancer and treatment.” Sam told the doctors he wanted his port removed once he finished the most intense phases of chemotherapy. “They didn’t want to do it, but he got his way,” Sara said with a glimpse of Sam’s indomitable spirit.

Sam recognizes that he wasn’t just playing for himself this year; he was representing others who had faced their battles. “Yes, I do wear the orange,” he said, donning gloves that symbolized his victory over leukemia. “I want to bring awareness that not everyone who goes through what I went through can do the things I have done. There’s still a lot more work to be done. It’s about hope and determination.” 

An inspiring triumph

When the day finally came for him to step onto the field for his first home game, Sam said it was electrifying. “That was very cool, the first time I wore that jersey at a home game. I was very happy to see the student section turnout. It was just fun! Whoever led the student section did a very good job, I think it was Sam Watson.” Nathaniel echoed his brother’s feeling, “The whole town supported him after he first got sick and when he came back, they were ecstatic. The gratitude was overwhelming. “It makes me happy. Just knowing they care and that I did the work to come back is enough,” Sam said. 

When it came time for a pivotal play, Sam focused completely on what he had trained for. “It was supposed to be a run play, but our quarterback, Austin Stark, switched it up, yelling my name. I turned around, and the ball was right there. I snagged it. It just happened.” When Sam scored that touchdown, it felt like the culmination of all their hardships and sacrifices. “I was so excited, I was jumping up and down on the sidelines! That was the only touchdown of the game, so that made it even better. It was like all the hard work paid off in that one moment,” Nicholas said.

“It was a chilling moment for me,” Principal Bednarek recalls. “It felt like slow motion—not just a football catch, but a reminder of the strength we often overlook in our lives. It was an opportunity to celebrate together, to step away from our challenges and cherish these victories at our school.”

“When he got that touchdown, we lost it. I was crying. Everyone was giving me hugs and high-fives—it was unreal, so special,” said Sara. “It’s amazing; it means a lot to us to know that our football family and our community are always here for us. “My dad would be ecstatic and incredibly proud of him. I know he is looking down and smiling.”

“I’m over the top!” Sam’s grandmother Mardi Niles exclaimed. Her joy was infectious. “The world is great, and life is good, and things couldn’t be better because Sam is better.” Her optimism painted a vivid picture of the relief and happiness that came with Sam’s recovery. Every accomplishment was a victory she celebrated wholeheartedly. Wearing a shirt she made adorned with Sam’s photo, football number, and name on the back, Mardi felt a sense of belonging and connection when she spoke about what the Scotia-Glenville school community meant to her. “Family—it’s perfect. It’s just wonderful. Thank you,” she said.

Superintendent Swartz nurtures that sense of community and pride. “It’s so valuable to have families that care so much and are involved,” she said. “Encouraging our students and families to participate—whether it’s sports, arts, or clubs—is vital. It’s what pulls us together and enriches the learning experience.” She emphasized how the Perkins family’s involvement in both academics and athletics was a perfect example of that spirit.

Bright future

This past year has been truly transformative for the Perkins family. They are an inspiration to the Scotia-Glenville community, and beyond. As the football season closed, the thrill of accomplishing his goals washed over Sam. He understood the importance of celebrating hard work and perseverance, surrounded by family, friends, his team, and a school community who had supported him every step of the way. “Thank you,” he said humbly, acknowledging all the love and encouragement he had received. Sam Perkins is not just a high school senior; he is a champion of hope, determination, and Tartan Pride. Through sheer will and unwavering support from those around him, he transformed his struggles into a powerful message for others—a message that reminded everyone that no challenge was impossible if you held onto your dreams, rallied your community, and never gave up.