Mark Sturges, ELM technology teacher at Keene Central School and blood drive adviser, smiles as he donates during the school’s blood drive on Wednesday, May 1. (News photo — Sydney Emerson)

KEENE VALLEY — As the school year winds down, students start thinking about things to give away: old locker decorations, a worn-out backpack or, if they’re at Keene Central School, a pint of blood.

At the school blood drive on Wednesday, May 1, KCS student organizers said that they saw a good amount of their fellow students line up.

“This year, we’ve got a lot of high school students that are starting to donate,” said KCS senior and blood drive organizer Addison Van Ness.

“The most we’ve had in years,” Lily Jones added. She’s also a senior and a fellow organizer.

“We’re trying to make it more of a culture here, and our community is great. There’s so many people who come in every drive, over and over again, to donate,” Van Ness said.

Keene Central School seniors Lily Jones, left, and Addison Van Ness organized and ran KCS’s blood drive on Wednesday, May 1 alongside friend and fellow senior Maddie Klotzka, not pictured. (News photo — Sydney Emerson)

Along with senior Maddie Klotzka, the three students organized a trio of blood drives this year. After they graduate, a couple of current juniors will take the reins and organize drives throughout their senior year.

“The tradition at Keene is, seniors run it and then they pass it down to juniors,” Van Ness said.

The student organizers split up the preparatory and administrative work that makes the blood drive run smoothly. Nurses from the American Red Cross come in on the day of the drive and handle the actual donations.

“There’s a lot more prep than I thought there would be. I like doing the donor part and interacting with people,” Klotzka said. “I go around talking to family members and friends and faculty and see if they’re wanting to donate or eligible or trying to get first-time donors to donate. I’m always really proud of them when they (donate). I tell them that there’s snacks they can eat.”

The past two blood drives this year have seen around 30 donors each. The organizers chalk it up to a successful word-of-mouth campaign.

Keene Central School senior Grace Stephens finishes up her donation by having her needle removed at KCS’s blood drive on Wednesday, May 1. (News photo — Sydney Emerson)

“We’ve gone around and talked about it a lot more than previous years,” Jones said.

“All three of us donate, so if they have a friend that’s donating, they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll donate, too,'” Klotzka said.

Organizing blood drives, while a somewhat unusual hobby for high school students, is immensely rewarding, according to the blood drive’s faculty adviser, Mark Sturges. He teaches ELM technology at KCS and has advised the blood drive for around 25 years.

“It’s an opportunity for seniors to run drives three to four times a year and earn money toward a scholarship for their education,” he said. “So, it’s a great opportunity for them to learn all the responsibilities and making appointments and learning how to work with people, et cetera, and also have an opportunity to do their senior project. So, it’s a real win for them, and, of course, the community benefits from the donation opportunity.”

The student organizers also see the drive as some practical training for their potential future careers. Klotzka is interested in going into health care, while Van Ness and Jones are interested in pursuing veterinary science.

Keene Central School held a blood drive on Wednesday, May 1. (News photo — Sydney Emerson)

A blood drive can be personal, too, Van Ness said.

“For me, my grandfather, he has to get blood transfusions and (the drive) is something I felt was a way to give back to the people who have helped my grandfather survive and stay alive, because blood is so important,” Van Ness said.

Jones said that she’s involved as a way to give back to the tight-knit Keene community.

“This was the first year that we’ve had more than one (volunteer organizer),” she said. “Usually, it’s one or two people volunteering to do it, but we had people fighting for the position. We had a lot of people wanting to do it from the junior class, which is super exciting.”

To donate at the next KCS blood drive — which will likely be in the fall, according to student organizers — watch for information on KCS’s Facebook page and on Nextdoor Keene.