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Carlisle Area SD recognizes spelling bee winners and two students credited with using Heimlich training to help choking attendee
Summary
The Carlisle Area School District honored middle school spelling bee winners and acknowledged two high school students who used Stop the Bleed/Heimlich training to help a choking attendee at a recent craft show. Teacher Justin Kretzing credited district hands-on training and Penn State Health Holy Spirit outreach for preparing students.
The Carlisle Area School District board recognized student achievements at its January meeting, honoring middle school spelling bee winners and two high school students who used classroom Heimlich training to assist a choking person at a community event.
The acknowledgement came at the start of the board's meeting, when board members invited students and staff to the dais to be recognized. Board President Paula opened the recognitions and asked the students to come forward.
Justin Kretzing, a health teacher who said he teaches at Coeur d'Alene High School and who described a multi-year partnership with Penn State Health Holy Spirit Hospital’s injury prevention outreach, told the board the incident began a month after a Stop the Bleed/Heimlich lesson. Kretzing said student Elsa used the maneuver and then summoned classmate Julian to apply additional force; the craft-show attendee later went to a hospital for evaluation. "I have no doubt that their swift actions saved the life of this person that day," Kretzing told the board.
Julian told the board he was not paying attention at first and had "my feet up on the desk," but when alerted he performed the Heimlich and helped dislodge the object. Elsa described how the class practice — including using a vest with a small plastic object students removed in class — helped her understand the force and composure needed. "Remembering your training, remember what you were taught, and still do it under pressure was really the biggest difference for me," Elsa said.
Board members and administrators praised the students and the district's hands-on curriculum. Superintendent Colleen Friend and other board members noted the value of practical classroom experiences that prepare students for emergencies and careers.
The board also recognized middle school students from Lamberton and Wilson Middle School for winning grade-level spelling bees and advancing to televised competition. School staff described the next steps — an online round of roughly 50 questions followed by a filmed competition for students who advance.
The board presented certificates and small gifts and invited students and families to stay for part of the meeting; no formal action was associated with the recognitions.
The recognitions section concluded before the board moved into its first public comment period and business items.
