On Wednesday, May 2, The Hill School was awarded the Angela Hohl Memorial Award by Miller-Keystone Blood Center for its efforts in the Center’s 2011-12 Blood Drive. The School’s participation rose an astonishing 88 percent from 2010-11, which was the largest increase in participation in the region. On Thursday, May 10, Christina Bell ’13 and Sarah Sovia ‘13 accepted the award on behalf of the School at the Miller-Keystone High School Honors Breakfast, held at nearby Reading Country Club.

Unlike several other schools, The Hill does not have a formal blood drive committee. Instead, The Hill’s blood drive largely is run by student-leaders with the assistance of faculty adviser, instructor of mathematics Jason Coady. The Hill Athletic Association (HHA), comprised of varsity team captains, traditionally has spearheaded the annual blood drive along with the assistance of prefects and other interested student-leaders. In the past, the School had only participated in one blood drive. This year, however, two blood drives were held with a goal of increased participation, which is exactly what happened.

“Holding two drives this year made a tremendous difference,” explained Coady. “Creating an additional opportunity allowed people more flexibility to be able to participate.”

Coady also credited a revamped recruiting method with the increase in participation. He created a list of all students who were eligible to donate, which he then divided up amongst the HHA members and prefects within their respective sports teams or dormitories. Prior to the spring drive, students were tasked with not only asking their peers, but also faculty with whom they have good relationships, to donate, which resulted in several first-time faculty donors. Coady feels confident that this year’s success will carry over to future drives.

“We’ve already got two blood drives on the calendar for next year, and I’ve already heard a lot of people who were first-time donors say they plan on giving again next year,” he said. “I’m incredibly thrilled with this year’s results in general and optimistic that we can be successful again next year.”