Deekota Hernandez, a member of the 2010 graduating class of John Paul II High School, played a key role in recruiting fellow students to donate throughout the school year and was a nominee for the Blood Center's Outstanding High School Hero Award.

The Coastal Bend Blood Center announced John Paul II High School as the recipient of its Rising Star Award. This award goes out to the partnering high schools with the greatest percentage of increase in blood drive participation from one year to the next. During the 2009-2010 school year John Paul II saw an overwhelming 250% increase in donations, beating out 47 other high schools from around the Coastal Bend.