For Heeter, the honor is deeply personal. An alumna of Oakcrest, she remembers a very different athletic landscape as a student. “When I was here, we only had four sports: softball, tennis, basketball, and soccer,” she recalls. “We were a small school, and we needed everyone just to field teams. We lost a lot of games, but we had a lot of fun.”

That spirit of camaraderie defined her early experience. Without dedicated facilities, teams often traveled around Washington, D.C., searching for open fields to practice. “We didn’t even always know where we were going,” she says. “But it didn’t matter. We loved playing.”

Those formative years would later shape her vision as a coach and administrator. Heeter returned to Oakcrest in 2002 as a P.E. teacher and coach, and just a few years later—at age 25—stepped into the role of Athletic Director. With little formal administrative experience but a clear sense of purpose, she set out to build something lasting. “I sat down one time and started thinking about what I wanted to see happen. What could I actually envision us becoming? And how do we get there?” she recalls from her early years. 

In the early years, that meant being involved in everything, from coaching multiple sports to driving buses, while also laying the groundwork for long-term growth. She sought out professional development through state and national athletic administrator organizations, gaining both practical skills and affirmation for her approach. “I don’t believe in roadblocks. I have learned to think, ‘Okay, if we can't do that, what about this?’” she says.

Under Heeter’s leadership, Oakcrest’s athletic program has expanded significantly. What began as four sports has grown into a robust offering that includes volleyball, swimming, lacrosse, golf, track and field, and more—along with a strong emphasis on middle school development, with the collaboration of Middle School Athletic Director Margaret Sweatman. “We essentially doubled everything,” Heeter explains. “A lot of that came from being willing to start small, build around student interest, and find the right coaches who wanted to grow with the program.”

This year, Oakcrest celebrated many successes and recognitions across these varied offerings. In the fall, Tennis coach Denise Mohler earned VCAC Coach of the Year, nominated alongside junior athlete Mary C. ‘27, who won VCAC Player of the Year. 

In the winter, Oakcrest swimmers represented Oakcrest successfully at the 2026 VISAA State Championship with senior Elizabeth B. ‘26 winning both of her events and earning First Team All State and Swimmer of the Meet recognitions. Senior student Kate N. ‘26 also broke Oakcrest Career Points record in basketball, as the VCAC Player of the Year for the Season. Finally, Varsity lacrosse also broke records, as the 2026 VCAC Regular Season Co-Champions, the first lacrosse title in school history.

A key part of such tremendous growth has been intentional hiring. Heeter prioritizes coaches who are committed to building programs over time, not just achieving short-term success. “In one year, you can do good things,” she said. “But real culture takes time. The best programs are built over years.”

The move to Oakcrest’s current campus and the opening of the McGowan Family Athletics Center marked another turning point, providing dedicated facilities that elevated both the student-athlete experience and the program’s visibility. For Heeter, it was an opportunity for the space to match the talent, hardwork, and growth of the athletic programs. “The day we got a scoreboard for the soccer field, so many girls said, ‘Wow, we are a real sports school now! We are real sports people,’” Heeter remembers. Moments like these reaffirm the importance of the facilities, equipment, and athletic spaces for the experience of the student-athletes: “When the girls feel they look sharp, they step up. They’re proud to be playing for the name on their jersey.”

While wins and championships matter, Heeter is clear about what defines success. “When I hear alumnae say they loved playing—that’s it,” she said. “They worked hard, but they loved it.” That philosophy reflects a broader understanding of athletics as an extension of the classroom. “Sports are classroom-adjacent,” Heeter explains. “They reinforce discipline, consistency, and effort, but in a space the girls choose to be in. That makes the lessons even more powerful.”

She also emphasizes the importance of aligning athletics with the school’s mission of educating the whole person. “There’s a physical dimension to formation,” she said. “We value that, and we support it, with facilities, equipment, and strong coaching.”

The VIAAA award acknowledges the evolving role of athletic administrators—not just as program managers, but as leaders who shape school culture, support student well-being, and build community. Heeter sees that role clearly. “Athletics is often the face of the school,” she said. “It’s how people first encounter us. We are often cited for good sportsmanship, and opponents often say they always love playing us because our teams never give up.”

Her recognition by the VIAAA comes after years of involvement at the state level, including serving on the organization’s board and contributing to the broader athletic community. Even with this milestone, Heeter remains focused on the future. Her priorities include continued investment in facilities, strengthening middle school programs, and further developing strength and conditioning.

But more than anything, her goal remains consistent with the culture she has spent decades building, a culture that strengthens and reflects the mission of Oakcrest. She says, “That is how our school is in general. We like to rise to challenges, and that spirit carries over. We are competitive and we like to do well, but we are good sports. We don’t tear each other down; we try to build each other up, and other people see that.”