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Updated: June 26, 2025 @ 6:08 am
Vitalant released the Arizona 2024-25 Spirit of Giving Scholarship recipients, which included two West Valley students.
The Vitalant Scholarship Program is designed to encourage and reward high school blood drive committee members for their efforts in stimulating interest and awareness about the blood supply at their school and in the community.
Three Vitalant student blood drive leaders, two from Buckeye Union High school, were awarded $1,000 college scholarships in celebration of World Blood Donor Day. The World Health Organization established World Blood Donor Day in 2005 to raise global awareness about the need to maintain a safe and ready blood supply and the vital role volunteer donors play.
Ridgley Hooper: Buckeye Union High School, attending Texas A&M University
Hooper became involved in the Buckeye Union High School blood drive as a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). Hooper made the commitment to host three drives annually and spent countless hours creating advertising, distributing educational materials and recruiting donors. One of the biggest lessons Hooper learned is that small actions can have a huge impact.
“After organizing blood drives and seeing how many lives a single donation can save, I realized how powerful they really are,” Hooper said. “I’ve learned that getting people to donate isn’t just about asking – it’s about educating, motivating, and making it easy as possible for them to say yes.”
Hooper is attending Texas A&M University in the fall to study neuroscience for a career in medical research.
Jazmin Monge: Buckeye Union High School, attending University of Arizona
Monge’s involvement with coordinating blood drives began through her role with Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). As president of the chapter her senior year, the opportunity to lead a blood drive allowed Monge to satisfy her personal zeal towards healthcare.
She made it her goal to create more blood drive impact by extending donor outreach. She collaborated with teachers to tie the blood drive into health and science classes and organized friendly donor recruitment competitions.
“Blood drives are not only about collecting donations,” Monge said. “A community coming towards one goal can make a critical difference.” Monge plans to attend the University of Arizona and focus on a career track in emergency medicine majoring in Basic Medical Sciences.
High school drives typically provide one out of every six blood donations given in Arizona.
“Teens donate more blood than any other age group in the state,” said Anna Oliver, Vitalant Southwest Division Sr. director of donor recruitment. “We applaud their accomplishments and are delighted to honor them with college scholarships in appreciation for saving lives.”
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