The Gila Ridge High School nursing program registered and reaffirmed the most organ and tissue donors among “large” schools in the state as part of the Donor Network of Arizona’s High School Heroes Challenge. 

The school’s HOSA – Future Health Professionals – club will be awarded a $1,000 donation for their effort and will be recognized at the Spring HOSA Conference in Tucson.

“I am incredibly proud of the accomplishment,” Yuma Union High School District Career & Technical Education Executive Director Lorie Honeycutt said. “I’m excited to hear their names called at the conference in the spring.”

Overall, 402 individuals were registered or reaffirmed as organ donors as part of the challenge. Gila Ridge was the only school in southwest Arizona to finish in the top three of the large, medium, or small school category.

Here are the top three statewide finishers in each category:

Large Schools: 
1st place: Gila Ridge High School
2nd place: Sierra Linda High School
3rd place: LaJoya High School

Medium Schools: 
1st place: Douglas High School
2nd place: EVIT
3rd place: Bradshaw Mountain High School

Small Schools: 
1st place: Santa Rita High School 
2nd place: Benson High School
3rd place: Chino Valley High School 

YUHSD has nursing programs at all five of its comprehensive high schools. All students enrolled in nursing take part in the HOSA Career & Technical Student Organization as well.

According to their official website, Arizona HOSA is a student-led organization that works to create quality, compassionate health professionals. Founded in 2005, they have helped more than 20,000 students on their paths to becoming leaders in the health community.