Around 351 lives were saved the day North Platte High School’s gym was transformed into a blood bank. For many donors, it was their first time having a stranger prick them with a needle and take their blood. This was the situation for junior Emily Schilmoeller. “It doesn’t even bother me, I didn’t even feel it go in,” she said. This year, 75 percent of the donors were students of North Platte High.

The National Honor Society had volunteers helping the efforts to save lives, as well as getting a behind the scene perspective on how a blood drive works. “The National Honor Society members are phenomenal. They’re organized, efficient, and a lot of fun to work with,” said Red Cross account manager Amanda Koubeck. Freshman English teacher Alice Boyer got to partake in both places, being the National Honor Society Leader this was her second year helping with the blood drive. She’s donated blood herself at least a dozen times.

According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the United States is in need of blood. After just reading that sentence someone is in need of blood right now. This years blood drive had a decrease in numbers due to this years flu season. Influenza has taken a hard hit on the U.S. and that has unfortunately put a stop in donations. But in the end, NPHS brought out 147 units of blood and potentially saved many lives.