Whiz Kid: Hannah Wasserbaech is Not a Vampire

Each week, the Whiz Kid column spotlights an accomplishment of a student or student group. This week, we feature Hannah Wasserbaech, a home-schooled Oakland Township student who will be a senior this fall. Wasserbaech recently organized a blood drive through the American Red Cross.

Hannah Wasserbaech

Accomplishment: Wasserbaech recently organized a scholarship blood drive through the American Red Cross in order to solicit vital blood donations while also earning money for college.

Key to Awesomeness: Wasserbaech, who will be a senior this fall, is home-schooled and currently dual-enrolled at Oakland Community College. On June 1, Wasserbaech organized her fourth community blood drive through the American Red Cross as part of its High School Scholarship Program, which awards money to the student who organizes blood drives. The amount of money the student receives is based on the total number of pints donated at the blood drive.

Wasserbaech's goal was 46 pints of blood; by the time the blood drive began, she already had 62 appointments set up and several walk-in donors waiting in line.

"I like calling people do donate," said Wasserbaech. "I don't mind talking to people on the phone."

Wasserbaech said one of her favorite things about organizing blood drives is "trying to get the teenage boys to donate." She said she also enjoys making cookies and brownies to serve as post-donation snacks.

Of course, Wasserbaech said she also enjoys helping others and says she wishes she met the minimum height and weight requirements to donate.

"It's a win-win," she said. "Even if I don't meet my goal, we're still helping people."

Wasserbaech, who is home-schooled by choice after moving to Oakland Township from Shelby Township last August, hopes to attend to major in history or sociology.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Each week, Oakland Township Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to editor Jen Anesi. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)