CFISD Staff Members, Students Honored with Awards from American Red Cross
Four CFISD staff members and two student lifeguards were recognized on Nov. 15 during a ceremony at the CFISD Natatorium for their decisive actions and American Red Cross training in helping preserve the life of two different students.
Jonathan Mayer, CFISD director of aquatics, and student lifeguards Cameron Dilney and Christian O’Daniel were recognized for their actions in helping save the life of a student-athlete on Aug. 10 during a water polo game at the CFISD Natatorium.
Mayer, Dilney and O’Daniel were awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. The Lifesaving Award is the highest award given by the American Red Cross to individuals or group of individuals who save or sustain a life using the skills learned in an American Red Cross training course.
“I’m honored to receive this award from the American Red Cross,” Mayer said. “You hope that you are never in a position where a lifesaving skill is needed but fortunately, the years of training that were afforded to me through the Red Cross prepared us to respond appropriately. I’m very proud of the two lifeguards that immediately jumped into action, and through their efforts, we were able to prevent a tragedy from occurring. It was a true team effort all around.”
Cypress Springs High School Athletic Trainers Dustin Cedidla, third from left, and Kimberly Faterkowski, third from right, along with Cypress Springs School Nurse Johnna Simpson, second from left, were honored on Nov. 15 during a ceremony at the CFISD Natatorium for their response to a medical emergency involving a student that was not breathing and had no pulse. Cedidla and Faterkowski were awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, while Simpson was awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in an Emergency.“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the Lifesaving Award from the American Red Cross, along with two great friends and colleagues in Kim and Johnna,” Cedidla said. “I am grateful that the three of us were able to work together as a team and use the skills we learned from the American Red Cross to save a student’s life.”
All CFISD school nurses, clinic assistants, coaches, athletic trainers, sponsors, band directors, drill team directors and LIFE Skills teachers are required to obtain CPR certification. All CFISD students must also have CPR instruction once beginning in seventh grade.
