Parker Ratzlaff, BHS Journalism

On Tuesday, November 25th from 8am  - 2pm, the Red Cross was in Jim Baker Fieldhouse at Buhler High School collecting blood donations. There is a nationwide blood shortage, so BHS hosted a blood drive. Students, staff, and parents signed  up to donate with a link that was shared in an email from organizer Mrs. Kelley Whisler and the Buhler school district. 

Red Cross blood donations took a nosedive in July 2024, dropping their blood supply over 25%, due to a significant drop in blood donors. Currently, there is still a blood shortage and a need for as many blood donations as possible.

In the past two years, the average units of blood donated from BHS staff, students, and community members was 57 units of blood. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives, so in the past two years, up to 342 lives could have been saved.

BHS science teacher and blood drive organizer Kelley Whisler talks about the importance of blood donations. 

“You know you’re saving a life when you donate blood and that's a pretty good feeling to know that little bit of uncomfortableness for 15 minutes is literally saving somebody's life,” said Whisler. 

Sometimes people are afraid to donate or don’t know what the process is like. Mrs. Kimberly Cottam, BHS FACS teacher and 5-time donor explains the process.  

“A worker from the Red Cross takes you for the interview first, making sure you are of age, weight, and have enough iron. They want to keep you comfortable and safe,” said Cottam. 

“After you get cleared, they take you to the table and you choose an arm to use. You don't have to watch any of the process if you don't want because they give you verbal directions. You squeeze a stress ball item to get the blood flowing and you wait until it's done. The needle hurts a tiny bit, but not as much as you'd think. At the end, they give you snacks and drinks to get your blood sugar back up!”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your single donation can save up to three lives, directly impacting patients undergoing surgery, fighting cancer, or recovering from trauma. Don't wait for a crisis; the need is constant.

Other local donation drives can be found by going to redcrossblood.org.

Ashlyn Bounds, BHS Journalism

Jessica Fleeman is the head leader in our Young Life youth group. It is located downtown, but is also located in other places all around the world. Young Life was created in 1941; however, it was just newly added to Hutch 4 years ago.

Young Life is a Christian outreach for adolescents (6th-12th grade). This focuses on what matters to teenagers – fun, adventure, friendship and a sense of significance. Their mission is “to reach every kid with the gospel.” Their method is in relationships, and their message is Jesus.

“One thing I enjoy is seeing the culture of acceptance and belonging that happens within Young Life. As we attend club, camp, and other events together, we become some kind of weird, loving family. Kids find a safe place to have fun and grow,” said Fleeman. “My favorite part about Young Life is that it feels like a family,” said Trinity Wells, BHS junior.

In the Hutchinson area, Young Life began over 12 years ago when Dr. Greg Miller moved to Hutchinson. Miller had been a committee chair for Young Life in Florida for 12 years previously. He saw the positive impact it had on his family and community. When he moved here, he believed God called him to begin Young Life in Reno Co. 

“Young Life was brought here because we believe every kid needs acceptance and belonging. We also believe every kid has the right to hear the gospel told in a way they can understand. We choose to walk with kids, regardless of their response to the gospel and we accept them where they are at,” said Miller.

Young Life is all about relationships. Leaders will hang out with teens and even come to their sports games or musicals. They will also take them out to eat and just have simple conversations with them about how their day went. Leaders also encourage teens to be their best selves and push them out of their comfort zones so they can experience a little more fun. 

“I had such a close relationship with many of the leaders. I feel heavily loved by each and every one of them and they have helped me through so much,” said Reagan Scherbarth, BHS junior. 

“We also spend time at Young Life club. Club is a party with a purpose! At club, we have crazy fun, but we also set aside time to seriously investigate the person of Jesus,” said Fleeman.

Young Life needs help getting kids to camp. When teens go to camp, it costs about $700 per kid and it's rising every summer. Teens get to experience so much fun and the whole time they get to learn more about Jesus! If you’d like to help, contact Jessica Fleeman at: (316) 518-1727 and ask her how to donate.

Contact Jessica for the next club date; all highschoolers are welcome to join!