Redland Middle School principal Chad Wall was bragging on his staff at Monday’s Elmore County Board of Education meeting. It was for good reason as Jayson Hall and Kristen Wright were part of a miracle in the school’s gym just over a month ago.
The board meeting was all full of hugs and smiles as seventh grader Colton Cramer hugged Hall and Wright. It was to celebrate the life saving moment.
Wall told the board in his 24 years he had seen numerous students have seizures, many of whom were transported by ambulance for further medical care.
“I got that call that day that somebody had passed out in the gym,” Wall said. “So I, you know, of course, start making my way down there. As soon as I got down there, I kind of looked around the corner and I looked through those glass doors. I could tell real quick that it was an emergency situation that I and nobody else in my building has ever dealt with.”
Hall, the PE teacher, was performing CPR on Cramer. Wright, the school nurse, was operating the AED and telling others how to help.
Hall spoke with Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis by phone in the early moments of the incident.
“As soon as I heard his voice, I knew it was real,” Dennis said. “I was like, this is serious.”
Dennis and others from the central office sped to the school.
Hall kept CPR going for 20 minutes. Wright shocked Cramer twice.
Cramer was moved to an ambulance at the back of the school. Dennis arrived soon after.
“There’s a helicopter over on the football field,” Dennis said. “He’s in the ambulance and I’m like, ‘Why aren’t we getting that thing over there.’”
Soon Cramer was flown to Children’s Hospital. He woke up the next day.
“The hospital staff couldn’t believe it,” Dennis said. “They said it was a miracle.”
Cramer had surgery later in the week. Since, he has returned to school and been shy about the event but hugs Hall and Wright at every opportunity.
Monday, Dennis and the Elmore County Board of Education presented Hall and Wright with certificates and medallions honoring them for their heroic efforts.
“In situations of high stress and urgency, it is not easy to maintain composure and act effectively,” Dennis said. “Yet Jayson and Kristen demonstrated remarkable presence of mind and skill. Their prompt actions played a crucial role in managing the emergency and for that we are deeply grateful.”
