Julian High School proved a small school can make a big difference in life by taking one of the top prizes in the "San Diego Blood Bank High School Challenge." The school hosted three blood drives over the course of the year, collecting 206% of their quota based on school enrollment. These outstanding results placed them above the rest of the schools in contention, winning the category of "Highest Percentage of Donors" and earning them a $2000 grant for their efforts.

Granite Hills High School in El Cajon took top honors for the second consecutive year in the category of "Most Pints Collected," bringing in 386 pints over the course of the school year. Each winning school will receive a $2000 grant from the San Diego Blood Bank thanks to a generous donation from loyal blood donor, John Howard. The schools will also receive a traveling trophy. The "High School Challenge" is made possible by sponsor Quicksilver.

Scholarship recipient, Maya Balba of La Jolla Country Day, (center) poses with Kristina Margole and Ramona Walker of the San Diego Blood Bank.

On Friday, July 20, the San Diego Blood Bank presented $500 scholarships to the inaugural winners of the High School Challenge Scholarship Contest, rewarding three deserving students for their dedication to recruiting a new generation of blood donors.

The following students were honored for making a difference in life: Erin Hollenbeck of Mission Bay High School, Marco Cortez of Palomar High School and Maya Balba of La Jolla Country Day School.

The goal of the San Diego Blood Bank High School Challenge is to spark the interest of young donors with the hope of maintaining that commitment for years to come. High Schools throughout San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties participate by hosting blood drives during the school year and competing against each other to bring in the most donors. Each scholarship recipient played an integral role in the organization of their school's blood drive.