District and town honor students and staff who saved a Williamsville South student's life

Williamsville Central School District and representatives of the Town of Amherst recognized six individuals June 9 for their life-saving response after a Williamsville South student collapsed during physical education on May 21.

Superintendent Dr. Darren J. Brown Hall announced that sophomore Cruz Ramos (a certified lifeguard), PE teachers Ryan Hayes and Travis Denman, school nurse Sandy Panella, assistant principal and athletic director Patrick Lester, and senior Daniel Gerson (a volunteer firefighter and EMT) performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator until first responders arrived. The student who suffered the emergency, Ian Tatumi, attended the meeting and told the board he was grateful: "I don't remember much of my cardiac arrest, but I know that Coach Denman, Mr. Hayes, Miss Panella, Mr. Lester, Daniel, and Cruz saved my life."

Town of Amherst Supervisor Shawn Lavin also addressed the meeting and presented proclamations recognizing the group's actions, praising their calm response and teamwork. Superintendent Brown Hall and the board presented district tokens of appreciation and invited the honorees and the student to the podium for photos.

Board members and district officials emphasized the outcome was uncommon: the superintendent noted that most sudden cardiac arrest victims do not survive and said the presence of training and an AED made the difference in this case. The meeting included brief remarks about the importance of training and the district's appreciation for first responders and school staff.