The American Heart Association Sweethearts are high school sophomores who (from Mid-August to February’s Heart Ball) actively participate in a program designed to teach them about heart healthy lifestyles and the prevention of heart disease through education and volunteerism. Through the Sweetheart program, these young ladies learn that heart disease is the number one killer of women. Through a new event this year they learned about stroke and stroke prevention.
During their tenure as Sweethearts, they focus on the goals of the American Heart Association and how to implement them on a daily basis in their lives. The Sweethearts participate in both educational programs and volunteerism with the assistance of these five area hospitals along with the help of many committee volunteers: Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Arkansas Heart Hospital, Baptist Health, St. Vincent Health, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
In addition to these requirements and equally as important, Sweethearts are interested in learning about their community, volunteering their time, making lifelong friends, and learning about “heart” health. They serve as representatives of their families, schools, peers, and the American Heart Association and as models for good behavior, ethics, and moral standards.
As a fundraiser for the American Heart Association Central Arkansas Heart Ball, Sweethearts pay an individual patronage fee. While Sweethearts, they also serve a minimum of fifteen community service/education hours each centered around learning more about becoming advocates for heart health in their generation. Sweethearts who volunteer their time are eligible for awards within the program. This year will be the first year the annual Allison Justiss Scholarship award will be announced and awarded at the Heart Ball, February 19, 2011.
Sweethearts are invited during the spring before their Sweetheart year and selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Young ladies interested in becoming participants in the Sweetheart program should contact the American Heart Association at 501-375-9148 before May of their freshman year.
With pleasure, we present the 2011 Sweetheart Class.
Valerie Kellam and Roxana Whitner
Sweetheart Co-Chairs
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Every February for the past six years, Soirée has teamed up with the American Heart Association to honor the American Heart Association Sweethearts and their parents. These are selfless young women, devoted to learning about heart disease and helping to eradicate it.
We’re thankful to all 40 for their outstanding efforts in supporting awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of women.