Throughout the day, students and staff stopped by to participate and donate blood. A total of 13 pints of blood were collected, enough to help save up to 39 lives. Photo courtesy of San Juan Unified School District

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Rio Americano High School’s student government is proving that leadership goes beyond the classroom.

On Oct. 28, the student government hosted a campus blood drive, an event fully organized and led by students dedicated to making a difference in their community.

The blood drive was spearheaded by Student Government Community Service Commissioners Lulu, Rylan and Clara, a team of students committed to creating service opportunities for their peers.

The trio worked together to plan every detail of the event, ensuring that it ran smoothly. 

“We organized the whole blood drive. We had sign-ups at lunch, contacted Vitalant and scheduled them to come and set up the gym this morning,” Lulu said. “I feel like I gained a sense of responsibility by making sure I was on top of everything and keeping things organized.”

Throughout the day, students and staff stopped by to participate and donate blood. A total of 13 pints of blood were collected, enough to help save up to 39 lives.

San Juan Unified District celebrates the dedication of its students and is proud to see them lead with compassion, teamwork and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Photo courtesy of San Juan Unified School District

“It feels good that people noticed the blood drive and wanted to give back to the community,” Lulu said. “We put a lot of effort into the planning and it’s rewarding to see it all come together.”

For Rylan, the experience was her first time planning a major event, one that made a lasting impression. 

“It was nice knowing that what I did made a difference,” Rylan said. “It feels good seeing everyone show up and knowing that an event I planned helped the community.”

San Juan Unified District celebrates the dedication of its students and is proud to see them lead with compassion, teamwork and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Events such as the blood drive reflect the district’s vision to inspire each student to make a positive impact in the world through inclusive and equitable practices.

“I hope that the students who donated blood feel like they’ve made a difference and continue to look for opportunities to help others,” Clara said.