January 25, 2023
Texas A&M University–Central Texas’ Student Government Association (SGA) welcomed local high school organizations to campus for Carter BloodCare’s Great Leaders Initiative on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
The day-long conference focused on strengthening leadership skills, community engagement, and team building.
A&M – Central Texas’ SGA’s central objective is to promote student leadership and serve as catalysts for positive change. Associate Director of Student and Civic Engagement Ali Mathe emphasized the university’s, and specifically SGA’s active support of community initiatives.
“SGA hopes to inspire the next generation of student leaders as they come up and this is a way they can do that and help build community,” Mathe said.
“Programming like this is important because we want to connect with community members and be a resource in the area. And also, to let students experience our campus.”
Vickie Carpenter, operations manager of recruitment at Carter BloodCare said that the event supports growth and inspiration in the next generation of leaders.
“For us this is important because it does help grow our next generation of leaders. It also provides a benefit to the schools because most schools, especially at the high school level, look to grow those leaders as well, and (look for) leadership opportunities for their group to attend,” Capenter said. “This is one of those that we provide to them and in turn they can take it back.”
Leadership groups like HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), National Honor Society, and student council from Belton, Copperas Cove, Hillsboro, Killeen, Lampasas, Pathways, Shoemaker High School, and Memorial Christian Academy participated.
“Doing events like this really gets (the students) excited to do more blood drives and work harder at their high schools during their blood drive month. They do their own promotions, and they talk to students, get up in their class and talk about blood drives,” Stephanie Jardo, consultant with Carter BloodCare said.
“It's something that builds leadership and character in them, and it gets them excited to do things like save a life.”
Jardo adds that high school seniors who donate twice a year their senior year or have someone donate for them can earn red cords upon graduation. Also, high schools can earn grants that fund scholarships.
“It’s a great event. We also learn from it. At the end we ask them to critique the event, tell us what we can do better, what they liked what they didn’t like. Feedback helps all of us become better leaders,” Carpenter said.
Donors must be in good health, 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 lbs., and feel well the day of their donation. Sixteen-year-olds must have a signed parental consent form.
More information about Carter BloodCare’s Great Leaders Initiative visit carterbloodcare.org/students/student-programs-school-grants/.
