On Wednesday February 13, DECA partnered with INOVA to put on a blood drive event to give students the opportunity to donate blood to help those in need. The seventh block marketing class, which contains DECA members and officers, put in a lot of work to put together the drive.

“We spent a couple blocks talking about how we were going to set everything up, like the arrangement in the gym. Then we had to contact INOVA and figure out who would be able to participate and we spent an entire class making signs to advertise and then for a week we went to every lunch block and asked people to participate during that,” said senior DECA member Bree Puterio.

There were roughly 45-50 students who participated in the event, who for safety requirements had to be at least 110 pounds and 16 years old. Many students decided to give blood to give back and to receive a free t-shirt.

“I just saw the signs for it and it feels really good to donate blood and save some lives. Free t-shirts, free snacks, and getting out of class; all wins,” said senior Hollyn Cook.

Some students were nervous to give blood, while others were able to stay calm.

“I wasn’t nervous to donate, I was actually excited. I really like donating even if I feel nauseous because I know the benefits that my donations bring other people and that makes me feel really good,” said senior Arran Ponte.

“Not gonna lie, at the very end I was feeling it a little, but they gave me an ice pack and it was really cold and it helped,” said senior Cook.

Ponte’s favorite part about the blood drive was its impact and how people wanted to partake in it.

“I enjoyed meeting and talking with the people that were donating. I feel as if this event is really important to have and it makes me feel really good when I talk to people who want to take part in it and help others,” she said.