Brenda Mehdian, staff writer
Service Learning collaborated with the American Heart Association to raise money for cardiovascular disease, the number one killer in America, by organizing its first ever Red Out.  The bleachers bled red as the student section of the Swim Gym filled up with fans to watch the boys varsity basketball team play Culver City High School on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
From Tuesday, Feb. 11 through Friday, Feb. 14, Service Learning collected donations from each class during period 6. Whichever class donated the most money to the cause won a Sprinkles party. In addition, the winning class participated in a drawing in which students of that classroom could win a pair of Clipper tickets donated by the American Heart Association. Edna Broukhim’s class won the competition by raising about $220.
“Service Learning came to me and said that they wanted to do a community service event at the basketball game and I was more than supportive to collaborate with them. I think it was important to spread awareness for this cause and I am glad I could help,” Head Basketball Coach Jarvis Turner said.  “Anytime a lot of people show up it inspires us to play better so the crowd definitely helped us.”
There was also another opportunity to win a pair of Clipper tickets outside of the classroom competition. Whoever wore red to the game was put in the drawing to win the tickets. The lucky winner was sophomore Raehaan Poonja. In addition, if a student donated at least $10, he/she received a Red Out T-Shirt provided by the American Heart Association.
“I am not a huge basketball fan, but my girlfriend loves basketball so I was glad that I would be able to take her. However, I am excited to see Blake Griffin play,” Poonja said.
Service Learning began planning this event in December when Kyle McAugly, an American Heart Association representative, spoke to the class. The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that aids in cardiac care in order to reduce disabilities and deaths caused by heart diseases.
“After hearing about the damage that cardiovascular disease, strokes and other heart problems cause we were determined to get involved and began brainstorming ways to do so,” senior Service Learning student Yaniv Sadka said.
Not only was this an important night for Service Learning, but it was also Senior Night for the basketball program. Although the girl’s varsity team was unable to end the night with a victory, the boys’ team defeated Culver City 63-42.
“After meeting with the coaches at halftime, the whole team was reenergized and focused to go out and get a win. We were able to shut Culver City down in the second half by working hard on defense and making the right decisions with the ball on offense. The win was a huge one for our team because it helped us secure first place in league over Santa Monica,” shooting guard Trevor Bergher said.