It was evident that as a student at Leeds High School, Heather Mitchell was an outstanding student and softball player. Mitchell has carried her talents on and off the field on to college, as she was recently named the recipient of the Allen Award.

The award is named for the late Sen. James B. Allen, who represented Alabama in Congress from 1969 to 1978 and served two separate terms as lieutenant governor. It honors the most outstanding student at community colleges across the state. The selection is based on the criteria of scholarship, service, high moral character, demonstration of leadership ability, and the completion of sufficient hours toward a degree.

Mitchell came to Jefferson State softball from Leeds in the fall of 2007. It was clear that she would be a strong link on the team, according to coach Cammie Hallmark.

“Due to an injury in her freshmen season, we were lucky enough to have Heather return for a third year,” Hallmark said. “She had a successful career at Jefferson State and is now currently being recruited by several four-year colleges.”

She graduated with an associate’s degree in English education and plans to teach at the high school level.

“When you are playing college ball, sometimes the ‘college’ part of it is forgotten,” Hallmark said. “The ‘student’ in student-athlete is sometimes overlooked and to some, what kind of athlete you have is more important than what kind of student you have. This young lady exemplifies the term student-athlete. At the Jefferson State awards ceremony recently, she was awarded the James B Allen award, which is the highest award any student can receive at Jefferson State. To have that award given to one of our softball teammates is such an honor, and we extend our greatest congratulations to her and her family.”

Mitchell, the 21-year the daughter of Ricky and Sherry Mitchell of Leeds, said her parents knew about the award and did not tell her.

“I knew I was receiving the Outstanding English Award for Jeff State, but had no idea about the Allen Award,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been at Jeff State for three years and this is a huge honor. I am very proud, and it is something I’ve worked hard for. I was very shocked that I won. I get to represent Leeds, the Jeff State softball team, and myself.”

Mitchell said she couldn’t understand why the entire softball team came to see her win an English award.

“When they called my name, all my teammates started looking at me,” Mitchell said. “I finally realized it was my name that was being called out.”