River View student awarded national scholarship
Madison Beach, center, was one of two national recipients of the Leaders Save Lives Scholarships from the American Red Cross. Also pictured are Shelley McPeek, school nurse (left), and Tricia Ford, American Red Cross representative (right).
WARSAW – Each year, the national American Red Cross awards the Leaders Save Lives Scholarships to two high school students in the United States. This award is based on how active the student is in the Red Cross program at the local level during their high school years. This year, one of the scholarships went to Madison Beach of River View High School.
Shelley McPeek, the school nurse, asked Taylor Ireland, a River View graduate, if she could start a blood drive last summer. Ireland asked Beach if she could help and the two held a blood drive with a goal to collect 75 units. They surpassed that goal with a total of 106 units collected.
“I like to do a lot of community service things, so it was a great opportunity,” said Beach.
Beach received a $2,500 scholarship and will be attending Ohio University in Athens this fall. She will be studying to become a dietitian.
“I got an email from Mrs. McPeek saying that I had won and I was so excited,” said Beach.
Beach also received a gift card for $200 to spend at any location. She plans to split the card with Ireland.
“As a school, we are quite proud that one of our students was chosen,” said McPeek. “Madison and Taylor were both in Mrs. Snyder’s Teen Leadership class and she suggested that we ask them to do this and they jumped right on board.”
River View students are active each year in blood drives, and last year, four seniors at the school were awarded $750 scholarships each.
“At the Red Cross, it’s all about volunteering,” said Tricia Ford, Red Cross representative. “We need help with blood donors and also volunteers.”
Teens can volunteer for the Red Cross at events such as Safety City, swimming lessons, and national disaster relief efforts.
Any student interested in hosting and coordinating a blood drive can talk to McPeek or call Ford at 740-538-4738.
Category: Education
