Leadership honors

Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

Cathy Carman, left, local donor recruitment coordinator for the American Red Cross, presents a Red Cord to Michelle Greene, who is entitled to wear it at high school graduation for achieving Level 1 in the Red Cross's High School Leadership Program, which involves donating blood at least three times. Michelle, who attends the ESU's LIFT program, has actually given blood four times since she began donating at age 16 with a parent's permission. Students who achieve two higher levels -- more blood donations, recruiting of other donors and other volunteer work, are eligible for rewards such as a recommendation letter from a local Red Cross executive and a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship. More information about the program is available at leader.redcrossblood.org