The Blood Center Awards The Power of Life Scholarships
The Blood Center East Texas is pleased to congratulate its 2008 winners of The Power of Life scholarship. Three scholarships were awarded this year to local high school seniors.
The Blood Center selected scholarship recipients based on original essays they submitted with their ideas to encourage their peers to Commit for Life. Applicants for this year’s scholarships attend high schools that have hosted at least two blood drives with The Blood Center this school year.

 

Shelby Portwood, Lufkin High School
College plans: International Business, University of Mississippi
Emphasizing the power of youth-focused campaigns, Portwood keyed in on the success of “Rock the Vote,” which, with the help of major celebrity endorsements, resulted in more than 1 million young people registering to vote. By using well-known spokespersons with youth appeal, she wrote, The Blood Center can encourage more youths to make donating a life-long habit.

From left:  Mark Smith, principal; Shelby Portwood, scholarship recipient; Judy Sheffield,
Representative from The Blood Center and Marcia Waller, Lufkin High School blood drive chair.

 

Seth Haney, Garrison High School
College plans: Music, Stephen F. Austin State University
Haney became a regular donor after seeing his teacher’s 2-year-old daughter, Lexie, suffer from leukemia. Knowing his blood donation could help others like Lexie encouraged him to Commit for Life. Haney suggested helping students recognize that their donations could one day help save the friends and family around them.

From left: Steven Haney, Seth’s father; Seth Haney, scholarship recipient; Dawn Haney, Seth’s mother;
Leslie Nichols, Garrison High School blood drive chair; Lynne Booker, Account Representative for The Blood Center.

 

Trenton Rogers, Cushing High School
College plans: Chemical Engineering and Business, Texas A&M University
Rogers highlighted the influence of friends and suggested creating a buddy system so students can comfortably donate in pairs. Knowing that a friend is donating too may make a student feel more comfortable and motivated, he wrote.

From left: Ann Weber, Trenton’s grandmother; Trenton Rogers, scholarship recipient; Lynne Booker,
Account Representative for The Blood Center.