Red Cross Scholarships and Honor Cords Presented
Launch the media gallery 1 playerThe Red Cross Blood Drive High School Scholarship Program rewards schools and students for the outstanding contributions they make to the local blood supply. This year three recipients were selected for the 2026 Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship. Each student will receive a minimum of $250 scholarship to the college of their choice. Those chosen were selected based on their outstanding contributions in helping with the drives throughout the past 6 years and their willingness to donate. Recipients of the scholarships were: Kaydance Maertins, Natalie Gaetz, and Makenzee Doerr.
The amount of scholarship money received is based upon the number of donors at the blood drives in which the students help to run and work at. Scholarship awards are issued directly to the high school to be given to the student to be used for their continued education. Students must be an active participant in several Red Cross blood drives throughout their high school career and should exhibit a leadership role in the coordination and recruitment of blood drives. The awards process considers most units recruited and most hours committed to supporting the blood program. Financial need is also taken into consideration when making the final student selection. Plainview High School was also recognized as being one of the top schools in 2026 for collecting the most units of blood.
The Red Cross also recognizes high school seniors with a Red Cross Honor Cord for their work in organizing blood drives, recruiting donors, and/or donating blood personally. Receiving honor cords this year were Kaydance Maertins, Natalie Gatz, Makenzee Doerr, and Nyome Harding. To qualify for the Red Cross Honor Cord, students must have either donated blood 4 times or recruited at least 5 people to donate blood and participated as volunteers in a school or community blood drive at least three times during their junior and senior years. By giving so much of themselves to serve others, the students prove that they are focused on improving the world around them. With the red graduation cords, they are recognized for their willingness to help the community and encouraged to continue in the path of service and helpfulness for the rest of their lives. The Red Cord Honors Program represents more than just a student’s donation to give life; it also symbolizes their giving nature, and the potential they have to change the world for the better.