After two years off due to COVID, EHS welcomed back Hoxworth Blood Center for the annual blood drive on Wednesday, January 19th. DECA advisor, Rocky Chasteen as well as the students involved in DECA  organized the blood drive. “It was good to finally see our students donating blood since before COVID,” said Mr. Chasteen. “It feels good to have everyone here again. Things are

finally starting to seem normal again.” The pause in blood drives has led to a shortage of blood for local hospitals. Edgewood students helped ease the deficit by donating “48 quarts or 6.3 gallons of blood.”  Traditionally, when a student at EHS  had donated blood twice, they were able to receive a red cord for graduation. Although many seniors donate blood to help save the lives of others, some were worried that they wouldn’t be able to receive the cord due to the two donation minimum. Alysa Gonzalez states “Knowing you are able to save the lives of others and get a cord for graduation really persuaded me to donate. This is my second time donating, but I know many of my friends were worried they weren’t going to get the cord because they couldn’t donate because of COVID the last couple of years.” However, Mr. Chasteen said the requirement was changed this year, and this year only, to only one blood donation to receive a cord. The DECA advisor was proud of the student body’s turnout. “ We still had many volunteers this year, even with the coronavirus still going on,” said Mr.Chasteen. He’s hoping for everything to go back to normal soon and to have the opportunity to continue to save lives.