EAST PROVIDENCE — Austin Harley, an East Providence High School Career and Tech Center student, was this year's winner of the annual Rhode Island Blood Center "Design for Life" t-shirt contest.

Harley, a senior in teacher Deila Nelson's Graphic Communications class who graduated last week, was presented with a certificate and an IPod for his winning design entitled "Give. Hope. Live." In addition, he along with his classmates were treated with a pizza party Tuesday, June 7, at the CTC.

One of Harley's two submissions was chosen best via social media voting among some 50 entries of other high school students, according to Chris Macri, the manager of volunteer and production programs at the Blood Center. T-shirts with Austin's design will given to those individuals 19 and under who donate blood at least three times over the course of the next year.

"I made two entries and it took me about two class periods, so about four hours," said Harley, who plans to major in graphic design when he attends college. "I was really just thinking about a catchy phrase that was short and sweet, keep it simple and add a little bit of character to it."

Mr. Macri, the manager of volunteer and production programs at the Blood Center, Sarah Perez, blood drive account manager and Nicole Pineault, director of donor resources were on hand for the presentations, including the 16GB iPod Nano.

Each year, the Blood Center holds a high school t-shirt design contest and rewards program to acknowledge one gifted student artist and the hundreds of students that donate three or more times a year.

For Harley, he appreciates the ability and need to donate blood, although he cannot do it himself. He fell victim to Lyme Disease during his freshman year in high school and is unable to give blood for fear of infecting others.

"I can't give blood because I would be giving people Lyme Disease," Austin added. "But if I could donate, I would love to donate and help people out because that's who I am. I like to help people and make sure everyone is good."