Freeport High School students received recognition for a statewide poster creation contest to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation and transplants.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, along with nonprofit New England Donor Services representatives, honored the students as this year’s winners of the annual New England Donor Services Donate Life High School Poster Contest for organ donation awareness. The recognition at the Maine State House occurred on May 28, according to a news release from the Department of the Secretary of the State.

Freeport High School Cole Brown won first place, Jacoby Brehm won second place, and third place went to Ian Guzman. The sophomores’ creative efforts were honored at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Augusta, and their poster designs will be displayed in public spaces across Maine and New England.

“Approximately 54% of Mainers who receive a new license or state ID in any given month chose to be organ donors,” Bellows said. “This past month, we saw a record number of people include that heart on their identification, and already this year, more than 72,000 Mainers have signed up to be potential lifesaving donors.”

For the fourth consecutive year, New England Donor Services has received a record number of donations from lifesaving deceased donor organs and transplants in its service area. Last year, New England Donor Services coordinated the donations of 648 deceased donors, resulting in 1,570 lifesaving transplants.

The record-high donation volume places New England Donor Services among the nation’s top three organ procurement organizations. Since 2020, the annual number of organ donors has increased by 80%.

“This annual contest is a fun way to bring attention to a very serious matter, and we cannot thank these students enough for their beautiful and impactful designs,” said Matt Boger, director of government relations at New England Donor Services.

The statewide contest challenges high school students to create posters to educate the public about organ donation, spread awareness and showcase students’ creative talents.