Poplar Bluff High School earned $3,000 in scholarships from the American Red Cross, dispersed among 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 in 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,” stated 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 throughout her time in High School. In addition to StuCo, she has been involved with the drama club and choir. She said in her successful application that service learning has allowed her to work on developing leadership and communication skills, plus build integrity.
“I have developed major growth from my freshman year to what is now the end of my senior year,” Murphy wrote. “These experiences and growth opportunities have made me a better person and leader in my school and community.”
King has donated blood before, and is a member of drama club, band and AmeriCorps. Through her experiences during her time in school, 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,” King stated. “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. Her involvement has influenced her direction, as she plans to pursue a nursing career following High School, she noted.
“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 and plans to continue to do so in the future, as the experience has helped him develop a greater sense of compassion, he said. He 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, with one being canceled due to staffing issues. While 301 units are required in order to reach the $3,000 tier, account manager Jerrica Fox explained how 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 pointed out.
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Cutline: (From left) Emma King, Abby Murphy, Paige Morey and Lee Thompson were awarded scholarships from the American Red Cross on Tuesday, May 16, at PBHS.