Scotia-Glenville Mourns the Loss of Inspiring Student-Athlete Sam Perkins

Scotia-Glenville Community Mourns Loss of Sam Perkins

The Scotia-Glenville community is mourning the loss of the beloved student-athlete, who recently passed away following his courageous battle with leukemia.

There are some Capital Region stories that stay with you long after you first hear them. For many across the Capital Region, Sam Perkins was one of those stories.

#Perkstrong Sam with family Photo: scotiaglenvilleschools.org

I never had the privilege of knowing Sam personally, but I remember reading a story about his courageous journey a couple of years ago. It was one of those stories you don't forget. A story about determination, hope, and refusing to give up.

As a Parent, This One Hits Hard

Before my son and I eat dinner each night, we share our "thankfuls"—the things we're grateful for. Sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're serious, but we almost always start with the same three: our health, our family, and our friends.  Because when you really think about it, without those things, what do we have?

The article I'm referring to chronicles Sam's remarkable story.  It began in the summer of 2023 when, at just 16 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than let the disease define him, he became a symbol of determination and hope.

His goal was simple: get healthy enough to return to the football field with his teammates. Through months of chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and countless setbacks, Sam never stopped believing he would make it back.

Photo: scotiaglenvilleschools.org

Sam Never Stopped Fighting

Sam fought his way back to school, caught up on an entire year of work, graduated with his classmates, and fulfilled his dream of wearing a Scotia-Glenville football jersey again, even scoring a touchdown in his first home game back!

Sam called it 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!"

Along the way, the "#PerkStrong" movement united teammates, classmates, teachers and neighbors behind him.

Sam poses with high school football coach Joh Ritter. Photo: scotiaglenvilleschools.org

School PTSA Posts Heartbreaking News

On Monday, the Scotia-Glenville High School PTSA shared the heartbreaking news of Sam's passing and asked the community to keep the Perkins family in their thoughts while respecting their request for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.

Here's what they wrote:

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Sam Perkins, who passed away early this morning. Sam was a friend to many in our community, and we know this news will be felt by many of our PTSA families.

The Perkins family is spending this time together with their boys, sharing memories of Sam and leaning on one another. They kindly ask for privacy and are not asking for calls, messages, visits, or meal deliveries at this time. Please keep the Perkins family in your thoughts during this difficult time

As a parent, stories like this are impossible not to feel. My heart goes out to Sam's parents, brothers, loved ones, teammates, and everyone in the Scotia-Glenville community who stood beside him throughout his fight.

Read More: Dozens of Animals Saved in Schoharie County Cruelty Investigation

Cancer may have ended Sam's battle, but his courage and fight will live on with the countless people, some like myself who never even met him, whom he inspired.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Perkins family, Sam's friends and teammates, and the entire Scotia-Glenville community during this incredibly difficult time.

Forever #Perkstrong