American Heart Association Awards Scholarships to Student Leaders Promoting Heart Health
The American Heart Association has awarded $1,000 scholarships to five high school students nationwide for their leadership in promoting cardiovascular health, addressing the critical need to combat rising risk factors among young Americans.
The American Heart Association has awarded five $1,000 scholarships to high school students across the United States who demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting heart health within their communities. This initiative comes at a critical time, as research indicates that by age 18, many young Americans have already developed cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or Type 2 diabetes.
These scholarships are part of the American Heart Challenge™, a school-based program that engages students in service-learning activities focused on raising awareness and funds for CPR education, physical and mental health improvement, and scientific research against heart disease and stroke. Students are nominated by their school's program advisers and selected based on their commitment to both personal and community health improvement.
Lee A. Shapiro, J.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of these young leaders, stating that they not only represent the future of health but are actively shaping it today through their advocacy and healthy lifestyle choices. The 2024-25 scholarship recipients include Addison Gralund from Central City, Iowa, a congenital heart defect survivor pursuing cardiology; Ashley LoMonaco from Wayne, New Jersey, inspired by her grandfather's heart disease and heading to Dartmouth College; Jack Waranavage from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, an athlete promoting heart-healthy living at Muhlenberg College; Jameson Calvery from Fairhope, Alabama, who developed a passion for health after COVID-19-related heart issues and plans to study biomedical engineering at Florida State University; and Zoey Bloomquist from Corpus Christi, Texas, another congenital heart defect survivor supporting the Association's mission while attending Texas A&M University - Kingsville.
The American Heart Association's investment in these students underscores the growing concern about cardiovascular health among youth and the need for early intervention. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, the organization continues to fund research, advocate for public health, and provide resources to combat heart disease and stroke. For more information about the American Heart Challenge, visit https://www.heart.org/getstarted.