Leena Mehendale. Photo courtesy of The Hockaday School via Facebook.

A senior at The Hockaday School is a finalist for the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship award.

Leena Mehendale is an All-Southwest Preparatory Conference athlete in soccer, cross country and track. She is the team captain for all three sports. Outside of school, Mehendale plays for the Sting Soccer Club.

The scholarship has been presented every year since 1986 to a senior student-athlete in North Texas. Recipients are chosen based on character, community service, leadership, scholarship and varsity sports participation. Four finalists are given $2,500 each, and the winner receives a $30,000 scholarship.

Mehendale’s volunteer work includes participating in the Hockaday Social Impact Board, of which she’s the president. She is also the founder of run2learn, a nonprofit that motivates people to run and supports childhood education.

If Mehendale is selected as the winner, she would be the second from Hockaday to achieve the honor, following Allison Campfield Taten in 1989.

Another past winner from our neighborhood is Jeff Miller, a Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas alumnus who received the award in 2001. Joel Sharp, also from Jesuit, received the award in 1986.

The winner will be announced Jan. 18 and honored at the Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner, scheduled for Feb. 21.