Unsung Hero: Samantha Franzman, Milford

MILFORD, CT — Today we inaugurate a new periodic series on Milford Patch, highlighting young student-athletes who are considered "unsung heroes." They are not necessarily the big star, but rather one who works hard, is a good student, is a positive influence and strives for the betterment of his or her school and/or community.

Name: Samantha Franzman
School: Jonathan Law High School, grade 12
Sports: cross country, track
Nominated by: Lee Franzman

"I was the head basketball coach at all three Milford Public School high schools from 1974-2000. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with hundreds of student athletes and have worked with many outstanding kids. My granddaughter, Samantha Franzman, a senior at Jonathan Law, has exhibited many outstanding student-athlete qualities. In addition to being an exceptional student – she is a high honor student and member of the national honor society – she is also a frequent volunteer for the local community at the Beth El Center and Carriage Green, an assisted living facility, and she is a competitive dancer, dancing approximately 10 hours a week. Samantha has embraced running and has participated on the cross country, indoor track and outdoor track teams for all four years of high school; this year, she is co-captain of each of these sports. Although she is not the star of any of her teams, she enthusiastically trains and competes in each of these sports and is a role model for her teammates. For example, she was sick with mono during the 2018 cross country season, but attended all of the team’s meets and was very supportive of her teammates. In addition, at the indoor track team banquet, she received the Coach’s Award and her coach, Joe Beler, said that in his 25 years of coaching, she was one of the three best captains he has ever coached."

To nominate a deserving student-athlete, email a brief description of their sports and community endeavors and a non-copyrighted photo (horizontal preferred) to tim.jensen@patch.com.