Red Cross Club Leaders recognized with 2026 Youth Heroes Award
Kate R. ’26, Alina S. ’27, & Jackson V.S. ’27 recognized for leadership and dedication to their community’s health
By Josh Ross, Upper School Mathematics Teacher and Red Cross Club Advisor, with contributions from Kayleigh Ross ’26, Communications Intern
I am delighted to share that St. Anne’s-Belfield Red Cross Club leaders Kate R. ’26, Alina S. ’27, & Jackson V.S. ’27 were selected as recipients of the 2026 American Red Cross Central Virginia Chapter Youth Heroes Award. The students were recognized during a breakfast reception hosted by the American Red Cross on Wednesday, May 13, in Charlottesville.
This is a tremendous honor and speaks to the incredible work our students have done over the past several years to strengthen the culture surrounding our school’s annual blood drive. What was once a primarily parent-led effort is now fully student led, in addition to becoming one of the largest single-day high school blood drives in the region. Over the past two years alone, we have collected more than 200 units of blood from more than 230 presenting donors.
They were truly invested in the service of the day and wanted to put on the best possible event. — Jason Krech, American Red Cross Blood Services
Jason Krech, Account Manager with American Red Cross Blood Services, emphasized the club’s deep understanding of the American Red Cross mission, saying he “was blown away by how little was required on [his] end.” On the day of the drive, the group reported early to school to help the Red Cross collections team unload the equipment vans, brought cases and carts inside for set-up, and consistently asked what else they could help with, “all with smiles and excitement on their faces.” Mr. Krech was impressed by how the students continued to recruit donors throughout the day, worked the check-in table, and helped donors make sure they collected snacks and drinks afterwards. “They were truly invested in the service of the day and wanted to put on the best possible event.”
This recognition celebrates leadership, teamwork, and commitment to service shown by Kate, Alina, and Jackson, as well as the approximately 40 additional student volunteers who contributed to the effort through fundraising, recruitment of donors, and educating members of the community about the importance of donating blood.
“It has been so rewarding this year to see how much support we have within our school community,” the students shared during their acceptance speech at the reception. “We are now beginning to see how our success is broadening our impact to the larger Charlottesville area.”
I am incredibly grateful for the leadership that Kate, Alina, and Jackson have shown, and so proud their hard work is being recognized in this way. Their efforts, along with the contributions of many others, have made a meaningful impact on patients and families across our region. This recognition is very well-deserved, and I am excited to see the Red Cross Club continue to grow in the years to come.
