Year's first blood drive at Johnston High a big success

Johnston Sun Rise ·

Through the years, Johnston High School has become well known for some terrific traditions.

One in particular is a tradition unlike any other, one faculty members like Greg Russo will tell you is of the utmost importance. It surfaced again last Thursday inside the Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium.

The school’s Student Council held its annual October blood drive, which produced 74 presentations, despite the fact there’s a 16-year-old age eligibility.

“The blood drive was quite successful for the first one of the school year,” said Russo, who is the Student Council advisor. “We only had a number of sophomores who were eligible to donate blood, and remember, each pint of blood donated can help three people because the pint is used for red bloods cells, platelets, and plasma.”

Russo explained that if a student is age 16, he or she must weigh at least at lease 130 pounds. If a student is age 17, the weight minimum is 110 pounds.

Needless to say, Student Council leaders like president Banida Sinharath, vice president Sara Phengsavadty, secretary Emily Raposa, and recording secretary Philip Jessup were thrilled with the blood drive’s results and are looking forward to possibly breaking a school record later in the year.

Just last week, Johnston High School was recognized for being the third-highest blood drive donor during the 2015-16 academic year, and students attended a special reception at Dave and Busters at the Providence Place Mall where they received the award.

Russo explained that the blood drives are conducted by the Rhode Island Blood Center, whose corporate headquarters are located at 405 Promenade St. in Providence.

Next up for the Student Council is the annual homecoming celebration.

“We’ll begin the countdown to homecoming with Spirit Week,” Russo said. “There will be a different theme each day leading to the annual pep rally next Friday, Oct. 14, and the parade is set to step off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, from the high school.”

The annual homecoming breakfast, which prepared and sponsored by the Johnston Lions Club, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 in the Johnston High cafeteria. Russo said the king and queen of homecoming will be crowned at halftime of the Panthers’ football game, and that’s when the winners of Spirit Week and the Float Competition will be announced as well. 1

CHECKING IN:

Eric St. Peter, top, of the Rhode Island Blood Center, and Johnston High students like Anthony Cabral, helped check people in during last Thursday’s blood drive. (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

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REASON TO SMILE:

Linda Murphy and Sarah Jones of the Rhode Island Blood Center are all smiles because students like Chelsea Harrison and Devin Perron decided to give blood last Thursday. 3

SPIRIT OF GIVING:

This was the scene inside Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium during last Thursday’s Student Council blood drive. 4

HELPING OUT:

Rhode Island Blood Center staffers make sure donors have water during their time of giving blood.