Heroes honored for saving North County student in crisis

During a recent board meeting, the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) recognized several individuals for their heroic actions in response to a medical emergency involving a North County High School student. Chief Student and Systemic Officer Monique Jackson highlighted the incident that occurred on August 30, when ninth grader Vanessa Witty suffered a medical emergency shortly after arriving at school.

Two students, Anghao Sunalga Sanchez and Ashton Klein, quickly identified the seriousness of the situation and sought help. School nurse Elizabeth Carey, along with School Resource Officers Corporal Matthew DeRae and Corporal Craig Madonna from the County Police Department, arrived promptly on the scene. They administered CPR and utilized an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) until paramedics could take over.

Jackson expressed gratitude for the swift actions of those involved, noting that Vanessa has since returned to school and is doing well. The meeting also featured the presence of local officials, including County Police Chief Amal Awad and County Health Officer Tony Gedden, who joined in honoring the individuals who played a crucial role in the emergency response. The recognition underscored the importance of community and teamwork within the school system, which Jackson described as a family.