By Mike Finney

The Delaware Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Board on Thursday announced the winners of its 2023 Organ Donor Awareness Video Scholarship Contest.

The board funds the contest, open to high school students statewide, to raise awareness about becoming a designated organ and tissue donor.

“The best way to convince young people to become designated organ and tissue donors on their driver’s licenses or state IDs is for them to hear that important message from their peers,” said Jill Fredel, chair of the board and a kidney donor.

“In our state, only about 50% of Delawareans are designated donors, so our board decided that reaching out to young people is a smart way to go. We congratulate the scholarship winners for shining their creativity on the importance of organ and tissue donation.”

The annual competition accepts one- to two-minute public service-style video submissions about the importance of organ and tissue donation. The winners will be honored at the board’s August meeting.

The Sussex County winners are Zoe Tuttle of Indian River High School, $1,000; and Ethan Moore of Delmar High School, $500.

The New Castle County winners are Sarah Voight of Padua Academy, $1,000; Cailyn Pan of the Charter School of Wilmington, $500; and Suhani Bhatt of Newark Charter School, $500.

There were no entries received from Kent County students.

The first-place video for New Castle County can be viewed at youtu.be/FloxtzPvdHY, while the Sussex winner can be seen at youtu.be/AiZUgsuGrB4.

The scholarship contest is organized by the Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Board, the Delaware Department of Education and Gift of Life.

To become a designated donor, visit a Division of Motor Vehicles location or register online.