Submitted by Cascade Regional Blood Services
Cascade Regional Blood Services (CRBS) awarded four local high school students with a “Give Back Scholarship,” which includes $500 toward their scholastic endeavors in pursuit of their goals in higher education. Each student proved to have an exceptional work ethic and proven achievements in multiple arenas, including academics, athletics and community service – both in and outside their local schools. These deserving youth together encompass a colorful variety of skills they naturally possess and have acquired, and have turned their talent to task.
CRBS, your community blood center, which has served the Greater Pierce and King Counties since 1946, is dedicated to maintaining a commitment to local high school and college students, in their pursuit of their future goals. This scholarship program offers motivation for our young leaders to thrive, by encouraging the need to give back through volunteer service, the importance of life-long blood donation, while promoting acquisition of transferable skills in areas such as leadership, marketing and the healthcare industry.
Natalie Miller has completed her senior year with a 3.5 GPA at Lincoln High School, in addition to clocking a winning 825 hours of service. This included service in the Key Club, a local food bank and church, soccer coaching, and as a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Natalie plans to attend Western Washington University to study creative writing and special education. “I dream of who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to avoid,” she said. Karina Bauza-Schuler, Spanish and cultural enrichment teacher, said, “Natalie is highly motivated and knows how to plan, overcome obstacles and adapt while continuing to pursue her goals.” Natalie’s AP literature teacher Patrick McDermott said, “Natalie is one of the strongest writers I have seen in all my years of teaching.”
Dharma Shah has completed her senior year at Puyallup High School with a 3.992 GPA, and clocked 204 hours of service while working at Multicare Samaritan Hospital. She plans to attend UCLA to study biology and marketing, aspiring to be a physician. Dharma’s AP History teacher Mychal Limric, states, “I have worked with a great many outstanding high school students – few, if any, have had as positive an impact on my classroom as Dharma Shah.” She has won multiple academic and athletic achievement awards, including Spanish, golf, tennis and basketball. Emily Gaines worked alongside Dharma as a Multicare employee. “She is the purest example of living a life to serve others. She is a world changer.”
Brisa Ramos Rosas helped bridge the gap for her non-English speaking peers so they could have a chance to succeed. Her parents migrated from Mexico, and as a result she struggled in school. She has completed her junior year at Clover Park High School with a 3.388 GPA and clocked 69 service hours. She plans to study business at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom. Brisa tutored her peers in biology, translated their lectures and assisted with homework. She also worked in the main office and coached soccer for a neighboring high school. “I see myself through these students,” she said. “I remember struggles I went through and I feel the need to help them succeed.”
Antoinique Porterfield has completed her senior year at Clover Park High School with 51.40 volunteer hours, and secured a 3.2 GPA. She plans to attend Northwest University to study pre-medicine and psychology. She served in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), at a skilled nursing facility, as a HR intern at Evergreen State College, managed the tennis team, and continues to assist with Sunday school classes. “During my high school career, I have been incredibly grateful to be a part of many different service opportunities,” she stated. She reflected on working in her church. “I feel I have really impacted the people I work with and I hope my actions reflect my words.”
All four students either have donated blood at their high school CRBS drive or assisted with the drive coordination.
Please direct scholarship questions to: marketing@crbs.net.
Cascade Regional Blood Services has locations in Puyallup, Tacoma and Federal Way. For more information, visit our website at www.crbs.net or call 1-877-24-BLOOD
