McHenry Community High School physical education teachers and administrators celebrated the most recent group of 157 students to earn life-saving skills through CPR/AED training during PE classes.
Elizabeth DePouw, McHenry and Western Lake County EMS system coordinator for Northwestern Medicine, told students during the April 4 ceremony at school that being able to offer the emergency care is crucial to save lives. The students earned the certification through the American Heart Association’s HeartSaver curriculum through a partnership with Northwestern Medicine.
“You can save a life through the skills you’ve learned,” DePouw told students. “That makes you a very important and elite person”
It brings the total number to 2,159 students who have been certified at McHenry High School since training began about 12 years ago. State law in 2014 requires the training to be offered at Illinois high schools.
In addition to congratulations from Northwestern Medicine and school staff, students were treated to heart cookies for the occasion.