The Sophomore class government, in partnership with the American Red Cross, hosted its annual Blood Drive on March 3rd, 2026. Students and faculty were encouraged to donate blood, with the donations going to patients in need at nearby hospitals. 

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that is dedicated to alleviating human suffering. Through the blood drive, students and the Red Cross worked together to arrange space and time for students and faculty to donate blood, offering $15 Amazon gift cards in return. The drive took place in the wrestling gym throughout the school day. Snacks and drinks were provided to student blood donors to ensure that they were energized and adequately prepared to continue their school day.

The Sophomore class government promoted the event by hanging up posters in the hallways. Members were also encouraged to spread the word about the event by word of mouth to raise awareness among students and faculty. “[They] focused on making sure that the signup process was as seamless as possible,” Sophomore Government Advisor Carlos Bedoya provided. 

The Sophomore Class government prepared months in advance, utilizing semiweekly homeroom periods, lunchtimes, and Zoom meetings to collaborate and manage the logistics of the blood drive. 

Bedoya played a fundamental role in providing the student officers with the advice and feedback needed to organize successful events such as the blood drive.  “[The organizational process] allowed our officers to have real-world conversations with people who weren’t school teachers or administrators, and to learn to efficiently collaborate,” Bedoya emphasized. “The preparation for the blood drive allowed officers to gather the skills for contracts with future prom venues and DJs, and also just understanding the time, energy, and effort it takes to pull off something of this magnitude.”

Furthermore, the class government and cabinet actively contributed to the event by volunteering to staff the blood drive sign-in station. “The members and I aided in the flow and efficiency of the blood drive, and helped to check people in,” Sophomore Class Representative Dalia Latzman ’28 explained.

The drive helped to donate to patients in our community and aided in teaching students how to prepare and run events. Students gained insight not only from teachers and school administrators but also from workers across different organizations. The process of organizing the event allowed them to practice collaborating with others for a greater cause. Teaching students to apply skills in the real world prepares them for future projects. 

Overall, the Sophomore Class Blood Drive was a success, with many students and faculty eager to donate blood to local patients, thanks to the hard work and partnership between students and the American Red Cross. “The healthcare system relies on volunteers, and bringing the blood drive to the high school was a meaningful way to help others!” Latzman remarked.