West-Central Illinois High School Students Recognized for Generous Blood Donation Efforts

Strategic Insights -

Recent graduates of several west-central Illinois high schools were honored not only for their academic achievements but also for their generosity, as they received the ImpactLife Student Impact Award for their outstanding blood-donation efforts. Among the recipients were Claire Bunch, Racheal Jenson, Faith Beddingfield, Ava LaRose, Evan Lomelino, and Conner Rickert, who demonstrated remarkable dedication and initiative in donating blood, recruiting others, and organizing local blood drives. Their efforts earned them a certificate and the right to wear a red cord with their cap and gown during graduation ceremonies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Six students from west-central Illinois high schools received the ImpactLife Student Impact Award for their blood donation efforts: Claire Bunch, Racheal Jenson, Faith Beddingfield, Ava LaRose, Evan Lomelino, and Conner Rickert.
  • To earn the award, students must accumulate 6 points by donating blood, recruiting others to donate, or helping organize local blood drives.
  • Ava LaRose, one of the recipients, donated blood six times, including one special trip to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital during the summer, despite initial difficulties due to low iron levels.
  • LaRose's classmate, Faith Beddingfield, also felt a sense of purpose in donating blood, citing her family's history of blood donation and the importance of helping others.
  • Lisa Hall, a social studies teacher at Routt Catholic High School, coordinates blood drives and encourages students to donate, recognizing the positive impact it can have on the community.
  • Jim Watts, ImpactLife's manager of donor relations, notes that the Student Impact Award recognizes students who want to make a difference, develop leadership skills, and volunteer to help their community.

Statistics:

  • ImpactLife serves over 120 hospitals and emergency medical service centers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, including hospitals in west-central Illinois.
  • The program rewards students with 1 point for each blood donation, recruitment, or organized blood drive, and it takes 6 points to earn the Student Impact Award.
  • Ava LaRose donated blood six times and found an additional donor to help her earn the required points.
  • Lisa Hall reports that her students have helped save or help 47 people on average per blood drive.
  • Evan Lomelino, another recipient, went above and beyond the 6-point requirement, donating blood multiple times and helping coordinate blood drives at Franklin High School.

Sources:

  • [Angela Bauer, "Several recent graduates honored for generosity," The Jacksonville Journal-Courier (June 2025)]
  • [ImpactLife, "Student Impact Award Recipients"]
  • [Lisa Hall, interview]
  • [Jim Watts, interview]
  • [Tribune Content Agency, LLC]