HONESDALE — The death of Samson Fluck on November 6, 2022, was a tragedy of heartbreaking proportions.
A popular and talented sophomore at Honesdale High School, Fluck succumbed to cancer at the age of just 16. His loss was felt deeply by all who knew him.
In the wake of Fluck’s passing, family and friends began looking for ways to honor his memory, hoping to draw something positive from this devastating loss.
With that admirable goal in mind, the Wayne Highlands Youth Football Organization teamed up with the Fluck family to establish an annual scholarship in Samson’s memory.
Leslie Acker, who is the current WHYFO board president, explains that the award will be presented each year to deserving graduates of the Stinger program who were either players or cheerleaders.
“It’s a great honor for us to be given permission by Samson’s family to offer this scholarship in his memory,” Acker said. “Samson truly embodied all the things we want to recognize about recipients. We’re hoping to keep his memory alive and bring awareness to the benefits of youth football and cheerleading.”
The 2025 Samson Fluck Memorial Scholarship honorees are Honesdale seniors Aiden Collins, Conlan Keast and Aviana Branning. Each receives a commemorative certificate and a check in the amount of $500.
Aiden is the son of Michael and Erika Collins. He was a multi-sport standout during his high school career.
Collins served as the starting quarterback for the varsity football team for four years. He played in 43 consecutive games, amassed more than 4,000 passing yards and threw for 38 touchdowns.
His affiliation with the WHYFO began in sixth grade, launching a football career that will continue into the college ranks. In the essay portion of his scholarship application, Collins credited lessons learned as a Stinger for his high school successes.
“Stingers taught me about leadership from a young age, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the program,” he said. “I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to play for the Stingers. I learned that you will have adversity in football and in life, so the quickest way to overcome it is to persevere and to stay positive.”
Collins has announced that he will continue his academic and athletic career at Susquehanna University, where he’ll pursue studies in accounting.
Conlan is the son of Todd and Alicia Keast. He was a standout member of the football team, playing wide receiver on offense and free safety on defense.
Keast was among the team leaders in receptions (25), receiving yards (445) and touchdowns (4) during the 2025 Lackawanna Football Conference campaign.
He was also a product of the WHYFO program and embraced the lessons he learned on the youth football field.
“Looking back on my experience starting in the sixth grade, I can see how much my time with the Stingers helped shape who I am today,” Keast said. “It taught me to work hard, be a reliable teammate and strive to become a better version of myself every day.”
Keast will be taking his skills to the next level this fall. He’s committed to play football at King’s College, where he will pursue a degree in physical education and special ed.
Aviana is the daughter of TJ and Nicole Branning. While she didn’t cheer for the WHYFO, she volunteered numerous times to coach and mentor young Stingers during her high school years.
Branning wrote in her scholarship essay that she’s learned countless lessons from her cheerleading experience.
“Cheerleading has shaped me to be better in so many ways,” she said. “It made me more dedicated, confident, positive, and more prepared for my future. I know the lessons I have learned from cheer will stick with me forever.”
Her future plans include attending Luzerne County Community College where, she’ll study in the EMS program.
Samson Fluck was 16 years old and a sophomore at HHS when he died due to a cancerous tumor in his chest.
He was the son of Beach Lake’s Bethany and Russ Fine; Jason and Heather Fluck of Waymart.
Fluck was a standout multi-sport athlete who excelled as a linebacker on the football field and a catcher on the baseball diamond. He was well-liked by teachers, coaches, teammates and classmates.
Bethany Fine is Samson’s mom. She’s been through a hellish ordeal no parent should ever have to endure the past few years. However, she’s genuinely grateful to the WHYFO for helping to make something positive emerge from this tragedy.
“We are so appreciative to the Stingers for creating this scholarship in Samson’s memory,” Bethany said. “This year the scholarship is even more special for us because it’s his graduating year, and the three recipients are dear friends of his.”
According to Bethany, Collins, Keast and Branning all played significant roles in her late son’s life. She’s eternally grateful to them for keeping Samson’s spirit alive.
“Aiden, Conlan and Aviana have carried Samson’s memory with them all through high school,” she said. “It is extra special that now they will be carrying his memory, along with this scholarship, with them into college.”

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