MONTVALE—Congratulations to Montvale’s Briana Keenan, proud recipient of a $1,000 American Heart Association scholarship under the American Heart Challenge, “a school-based program that helps middle and high school students feel good about their health while doing good for the community.”
The American Heart Association awards five high school seniors $1,000 college scholarships to energize their commitment to community health through service-learning opportunities.
Keenan, a National Honor Society student, is editor-in-chief of the award-winning Pascack Hills Trailblazer and spent two weeks this summer attending the School of the New York Times, exploring media, business, politics, arts, culture, and technology.
This summer she also wrote stories on the Pascack Valley Regional High School District board approving policies for the upcoming school year and discussing goals and ethics at its annual retreat; and her school’s gyms being renovated for the logo change.
She’s an officer at her school’s Interact Club, which takes on service projects, and she dances competitively for Perpetual Motion Dance Studio in River Vale.
The American Heart Association told Pascack Press in a statement on Sept. 6 that, as it’s devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, it offers a service-learning in-school fundraising program that prepares students for success by offering leadership development opportunities, community service hours and a college application booster in addition to supporting their physical and emotional well-being.
Juniors and seniors across the country who participated in their in-school or virtual American Heart Challenge program for the 2021-2022 school year were eligible for the scholarship program. Student applicants were required to demonstrate leadership skills within their school’s American Heart Challenge event and showcase their passion for impacting community health. Applications also required a letter of support from their school American Heart Challenge advisor.
Keenan told Pascack Press on Sept. 6, “When I found out I won, I was definitely surprised. I was in shock. I remember saying to my mom, I can’t believe I was picked.”
She said, “The American Heart Association is just such an incredible organization, and being named one of their scholarship recipients is an extreme honor — I love everything that they fight for and everything that they stand for.”
In addition to her advisor promoting the scholarship, Keenan said she was aware Julia Stieglitz, who graduated Hills a year ahead of her, won in 2021.
The other 2021-2022 scholarship recipients:
- Sarah Gutierrez of Carrolton School of the Sacred Heart Miami, Fla.
- Esha Hindupur of Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, Calif.
- Anna Shanar of Ridge Point High School Missouri City, Texas.
- Olivia Wilson of Southwest Christian High School in Chaska, Minn.
“Each of these students represents the spirit of the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives,” said Raymond P. Vara Jr., chairman of the board of the American Heart Association, in the organization’s statement..
He added, “We are encouraged by their commitment to improving the health and well-being within their local communities and are hopeful these scholarships will continue to shape their future actions of serving and inspiring others.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, only 20% of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations.
The American Heart Challenge says it’s rooted in proven science that shows that kids who are regularly active have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.
Funds raised by American Heart Challenge participants support the American Heart Association’s scientific research and outreach programs, while creating healthier communities.
Schools are encouraged to register now for the American Heart Challenge to bring expanded curriculum resources to their classrooms for the 2022-23 school year. For more information visit heart.org/kids.