The Leukemia and Lymphoma society Students of the Year program is hosted by the American Leukemia Society (ALS). It is a seven-week long program from Jan. 25 to March 17 in which candidates focus on raising the most money through a variety of actions, ranging from door-to-door fundraising to business sponsorships to a final silent auction, to aid in blood cancer research. The Indianapolis chapter is one of 40 found all over the United States.

Within the Indianapolis district are nine competing students, some of who are students here at CHS. Junior Connor Bednarski is one of those students. He said that this was a great opportunity to improve the community.

“At first, I came into the ALS not knowing what they did, so I wasn’t per se passionate about it, but I’ve actually been involved in a lot of volunteering and giving back to the community, and that’s what I’m passionate about,” Bednarski said.

Several other students, such as sophomore Meera Murthy, junior Lucy Salter and junior Reagan Markland are also participating in the Students of the Year, and explain their motives in participating in the campaign along with their hopes of the future.