More than 2,500 blood donations given by area high schools during sixth annual High School Blood Challenge 2010‐2011 scholarship winners announced Belleville's Memorial Foundation and Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center announce the winners of the 2010‐11 High School Blood Challenge.

With an overall total of 2,615 blood donations during the challenge, students, with the support of their communities, have made a significant contribution to improving the lives of patients in our area hospitals. The blood center is the provider of blood and components to Memorial Hospital, Touchette Regional Hospital, Gateway Regional Medical Center, Saint Anthony's Health Center, St. Joseph's Hospital, Anderson Hospital and the hospitals of SSM Health Care in St. Louis.

The High School Blood Challenge encourages high school students, faculty, friends and community members to donate blood in recognition of the high school of their choice. Donors who give now through May 13, 2012, at any Metro East blood drive may credit their favorite high school for the 2011-2012 Challenge.

The high school in each category with the highest percentage of blood donations receives a $1,000 scholarship from Memorial Foundation to award to a graduating senior to further his or her education.

This year's recipients of the Memorial Foundation scholarship include Joseph Muren from Governor French Academy.

Governor French Academy placed first in the small school category with 31 donations and a participation rating of 87.27 percent.