Blood drives, scholarship renamed to honor Pam Mitchell

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield High School Student Council has decided to name its two blood drives and scholarship in honor of former school district secretary Pam Mitchell.

Mitchell worked in the school district almost 30 years in various capacities, mostly as secretary of the activities department but also as the transportation and maintenance secretary. Mitchell died in April 2021 at age 62 after a battle with cancer.

Fairfield Activities Director Jeff Courtright wanted to find a way to honor Mitchell, and initially brainstormed setting up a new scholarship. After that didn’t pan out, Courtright had a different idea, of honoring Mitchell with a blood drive after seeing reports of how desperately blood banks need blood.

The student council holds two blood drives every year, and has a “Good Samaritan Scholarship” that it awards to students who excel in volunteering. Courtright recalled how important donating blood was to Mitchell, who had stickers on her car about how many gallons of blood she had donated. Courtright approached the Mitchell family about naming the blood drives and scholarship in Pam’s honor, and they liked the idea. He approached the student council with the idea, and all the members loved it.

At the student council’s most recent meeting, the council voted to rename its blood drives the “Pam Mitchell High School Student Council Blood Drive” and for its scholarship to be called the “Pam Mitchell High School Student Council Good Samaritan Scholarship.”

Courtright said he’s glad the school has found a way to honor his friend and former co-worker.

“Pam was just a great person, and her work ethic was outstanding,” he said. “She put in a lot of hours for the betterment of our school. She loved seeing kids on a daily basis, and was a positive influence for many people in our district. Even when she was battling cancer, she stayed positive. She is deeply missed by her husband Larry, daughter Alyssa, and all of us in the school district.”

The next blood drive, and the first to bear Mitchell’s name, will be on Wednesday, March 9 starting at 9 a.m. in the FHS library.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com