(Washington, D.C.) The American Red Cross recently announced a group of 13 NAIA and NCCAA student-athletes who were chosen to participate in its Collegiate Leadership Program, with Concordia's Paige Johnson (SO/Howell, MI) being one of the selected. Johnson will represent Concordia in the two-week internship at the American Red Cross Washington, D.C. headquarters over the summer and receive a $2,000 scholarship in addition.
The Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program engages character-driven student-athletes in a national initiative to help save lives through blood collection on college campuses. The character traits and skill sets emphasized through sport competition are the skill sets the Red Cross looks for in volunteers and future leaders. The internship gives its participants the great opportunity to develop leadership skills and inspire a new generation of Red Cross volunteers by running and organizing blood drives in their schools and communities. The program includes training, mentoring, and networking with senior American Red Cross leadership during its two-week internship.
Sophomore Paige Johnson is a point guard for the Cardinal women's basketball team who is studying biology in school. "I have a passion for serving others and when I heard about the opportunity to be involved with the Red Cross, I immediately started working on my application with (Athletic Director) Lonnie Preis and Coach Kiefer Haffey," said Johnson. "I was particularly interested in this program because the focus is hosting blood drives. I am currently studying biology and hope to go to medical school. The blood drives the Red Cross hosts across the nation are vitally important to patients in need of blood due to chronic illness, burns, or surgeries. Through this program, I hope to serve hospitals within the community and empower other students on campus to get involved with the drives."
Athletic Director Lonnie Pries is excited to have Johnson represent Concordia and the WHAC at the Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program. "Paige is a student-athlete who lives out our department's mission and core values of 'Christ Centered, Integrity, Servant Leadership, and Championship Mindset'. She is a great example of a leader who is striving for excellence in her studies, in basketball, and as a person."
"Concordia has prepared me to take on this leadership role in several ways," concluded Johnson. "I have been challenged on the court and in the classroom for the last two years with constant support from my coaches, teammates, and professors. I ultimately have strengthened my time management and communication skills as a student-athlete here and have built relationships that will last a lifetime."
