Editor’s Note: We invited Red Cross Club graduating high school and college seniors to share their experiences with us. The information is compiled and presented by Cindy Grell, Ellen Ginda and Alana Mauger.

The Red Cross Club at Radnor High School began in early 2025 when then-juniors Haeun Cho and James Frank and set out to create new opportunities for students to engage with the mission of the American Red Cross. Throughout the spring, they gathered resources, built support from school leadership and developed plans for the club’s first full year. During the 2025-2026 school year, the club explored a range of Red Cross programs and activities, including CPR education, home fire safety and preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces initiatives and community service projects.

Haeun Cho

From helping establish the Red Cross Club to mentoring students from other schools interested in creating clubs of their own, Haeun Cho embraced every opportunity to expand the impact of the Red Cross mission.

“I am so grateful to have been a part of the Red Cross organization. Through my experience, I was able to get certified for CPR, learn more about home fire safety and humanitarian rights, and even get to help others from different areas establish their own Red Cross Clubs to serve their communities.”

This fall, Haeun will attend University of Michigan as a nursing major. She looks to the Red Cross mission to continue guiding her service efforts.

“I hope to continue to embody the organization’s values such as voluntary service and unity by continuing to serve the community in many ways, such as blood drives. I am so beyond excited to continue my journey with the Red Cross!”

James Frank

As one of the club’s founders, James Frank helped transform an idea into a thriving organization that engaged students in service, preparedness and leadership opportunities.

“My past few years with the Red Cross have truly taught me so much. From CPR certifications to food drives to educational campaigns, I have learned not only lifesaving skills and ideas, but what it means to be a part of something larger,” he said.

For James, the opportunity to serve both the broader community and fellow students was especially meaningful.

“Being able to serve the regional community and help those at our own school has truly been an amazing experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunities the Red Cross has provided me.”

This fall, James will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to study biology on a pre-med track and continue serving others through the university’s Red Cross Club.

Meredith Gelles

While CPR training and preparedness activities were a major part of the club’s work, service projects also gave students opportunities to connect directly with their communities.

For Meredith Gelles, one of the most memorable experiences was the club’s Veterans Day food drive.

“It was a great way to get involved with the Red Cross’ mission and values as well as my community.”

Meredith will attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall and pursue a pre-med track.

Malaika Virk

Malaika Virk says that participating in a CPR course through Radnor High School’s Red Cross Club opened numerous opportunities for her.

“I was so inspired that I went to EMT school and am currently working on getting fully certified,” she said.

This fall, Malaika will attend Temple University as a biology major on a pre-med track.

Annie Zhong

For Annie Zhong, CPR training she took through Radnor’s Red Cross Club stood out as a favorite.

“Getting together with friends and classmates to learn skills that could genuinely help in an emergency felt really meaningful and made me more conscious of the responsibility people have to act in critical situations,” she said.

This fall, Annie is enrolled in Drexel University’s BS/MD program on her way to pursuing a career in healthcare.

SEPA Red Cross Clubs

During the 2025-26 academic year, the SEPA region supported 33 Red Cross Clubs – 28 in high schools and five in colleges and universities. More than 950 students participated across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist Ellen Ginda, who works closely with the students, explains that while each Red Cross Club is different, they all “have the goal of bringing the Red Cross’s humanitarian mission to their schools.” The student leaders choose how to reach that goal, which often includes hosting blood drives, organizing fundraisers and collecting in-kind donations, like toys, books, food and more!

Over the past academic year, SEPA’s Red Cross Clubs hosted more than 20 blood drives, organized 11 fundraisers and coordinated 11 donation collections. In addition, nearly 150 students were trained and certified in CPR/AED/First Aid.