4 Poplar Bluff High School students awarded $3,000 total from American Red Cross
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (KBSI) – Poplar Bluff High School earned $3,000 in scholarships from the American Red Cross.
The money was given to four students for reaching the goal of units collected during blood drives.
Abby Murphy was awarded $1,000, Emma King and Paige Morey each received $750, and Lee Thompson was granted $500.
They were awarded after a competitive application process based on school and community involvement, and how service learning has impacted the students’ lives.
“We are so excited to help our community, save lives and demonstrate opportunities of service that can extend past a high school career through these blood drives,” said Jennie Randolph, Student Council co-adviser.
The student organization is in charge of overseeing a series of blood drives each year.
Murphy has volunteered at numerous blood drives. In addition to Student Council, she has been involved with the drama club and choir. She said in her application that service learning allowed her to work on developing leadership and communication skills and build integrity.
King has donated blood before. She is a member of drama club, band and AmeriCorps. She has decided to work with children.
“Through my volunteering, I have developed better leadership skills, communication skills, empathy, social skills, patience, and so much more,” said King. “These qualities will come in quite helpful when it comes to being a children’s advocate because I will have to learn to stand my ground, make connections and understand how I can make sure the children I help live happy, healthy lives.”
Morey has both donated blood and served at blood drives multiple times as a member of StuCo. She plans to pursue a nursing career after high school.
“Doing community service or just helping out in the community as needed I have developed a passion for helping others and being more involved in the community,” Morey wrote. “…I have learned to understand that everyone has different things going on and they handle these things differently, so to be understanding of situations.”
Thompson has donated blood consistently during drives. He plans to continue to do so as the experience has helped him develop a greater sense of compassion, he said. Thompson has held student leadership roles with SkillsUSA, e-sports and the Sho-Me Marching Band.
“These qualities will stick with me all my life and help me to be a better leader after seeing how much love there is in my community for one another,” Thompson said. “…It gives me a unique sense of connection to those who gave with me by mutual circumstances.”
A total of 282 units of blood were collected over the course of four blood drives hosted at PBHS. One was canceled due to staffing issues. While 301 units are required in order to reach the $3,000 tier, grace was granted since Poplar Bluff rescheduled a late drive in May from a previous weather-related disruption, helping to combat a shortage that typically occurs over summer break.
About 25 percent of the Red Cross’ blood comes from schools and colleges, Fox said.
