For Libby Morris, heart health isn’t just an important cause. It’s something she believes her generation has the power to change.

That passion inspired Libby to bring Heart Club to Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas. Heart Club is a student-led experience for high school and college students that empowers young people to advance health and hope in their schools and communities through four pillars: leadership, impact, fundraising and wellbeing.

As a former Teen of Impact nominee, Libby was already passionate about the mission of the American Heart Association. Heart Club gave her a new way to turn that passion into action and invite her peers to join her.

What started as a group of friends has grown into a club of nearly 75 students, one of 54 Heart Clubs across the Midwest.

For Libby, the goal is twofold. She wants her peers to understand that while cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans, their generation has an opportunity to help change that story. By building healthy habits, raising awareness and becoming advocates for heart health now, young people can help create a future where cardiovascular disease has a far smaller impact on their generation.

She also wants students to feel prepared to act when someone’s life is on the line. That means helping her peers understand the power of Hands-Only CPR, know where AEDs are located and recognize that they can be the person who steps in during a cardiac emergency. Through monthly lessons provided by the American Heart Association, Heart Club members build knowledge they can share with friends, families and throughout their school community.

And that may be the greatest power of Heart Club: one passionate student can inspire dozens more to care, learn, lead and take action.