American Heart Association Awards Scholarships to Student Leaders Promoting Heart Health

The American Heart Association has awarded five $1,000 scholarships to high school students across the country who are passionate about heart health and exhibit exceptional leadership qualities. According to an American Heart Association scientific statement, many young Americans have already developed cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes by age 18. The scholarship program is part of the Association's school-based initiative, the American Heart Challenge™, which engages middle and high school students in service-learning activities that make a difference.

Students are recommended by their school's American Heart Challenge program advisers and selected for their commitment to improving their own health and the health of their communities. These outstanding student leaders model healthy choices and inspire their peers to do the same. They aren't just the future of health; they're helping shape it today through their advocacy and personal experiences with heart-related challenges.

The 2024-25 scholarship recipients include Addison Gralund from Central City High School in Iowa, a congenital heart defect survivor and longtime American Heart Association volunteer who is using her scholarship to pursue her dream of becoming a cardiologist. Ashley LoMonaco from DePaul Catholic High School in New Jersey, inspired by her grandfather who lives with heart disease, is using her scholarship to pursue a degree at Dartmouth College where she plans to continue spreading heart health awareness.

Other recipients include Jack Waranavage from Crest High School in Pennsylvania, an athlete who uses his platform to inspire others to live a heart-healthy lifestyle and is using his scholarship to pursue a degree and athletic career at Muhlenberg College. Jameson Calvery from Saint Michael Catholic High School in Alabama began experiencing heart issues after contracting COVID-19, leading him to develop a passion for physical and mental health, and he plans to major in biomedical engineering at Florida State University. Zoey Bloomquist from Veterans Memorial High School in Texas, another congenital heart defect survivor and avid supporter of the American Heart Association, plans to use her scholarship to purchase a laptop and help pay for tuition at Texas A&M University - Kingsville.

Participants in the American Heart Challenge raise awareness and funds to support the Association's work around CPR education, improving physical and mental health, advancing scientific research and more in the fight against heart disease and stroke. The initiative represents a critical investment in the next generation of health leaders who are working to reverse the trend of early cardiovascular risk factors developing in young Americans. The scientific foundation for this approach is documented in research available at https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.039239, which outlines the importance of addressing cardiovascular health during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood.