Hamburg Mayor honors students for assisting school staff member amid medical emergency

Four Hamburg Area High School students were honored for assisting a district staff member during a recent medical emergency.

Hamburg Borough Mayor George Holmes presented Certificates of Commendation to Arwen Buchwalter, Matthew Curtis, Samantha Gruber and Madison Fisher during the Feb. 22 Hamburg Borough Council meeting.

“The pandemic has increased school discipline issues across the country, as young people deal with the stress of isolation and health restrictions. But I see the vast majority of our youth are making positive and productive contributions to their communities, and this is but one example of young adults coming together in a crisis situation,” said Holmes. “I’m very proud that we have students such as these in our community.”

Holmes read the words of one of the teachers present at the scene when a staff member suffered a medical emergency last November.

“I feel I need to share with you what an incredible job a few of our high school students did during the crisis,” wrote music teacher Leslie Weaver. “Madison Fisher, Arwen Buckwalter, Samantha Gruber, and Matthew Curtis were incredible caregivers (to a staff member) while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. Madison was the first one to reach (the staff member) and immediately took his hand and kept him talking while the other adults and I were taking care of getting a medical team to him. Arwen and Samantha sat with him and applied pressure to his wounds until the paramedics arrived. And Matthew was an excellent communicator between the caregivers and me, running back and forth to answer questions and relay answers to me, as I was outside the school door for more reliable cell reception.

“Nobody asked these students to take on these roles,” continued Weaver. “They jumped in when they saw that a member of the Hamburg family needed help. They followed my instructions immediately and with calm. All four of them demonstrated maturity and compassion beyond their years.”

Holmes was joined by Borough Council President Loralee LaVentura in congratulating the students. Parents and family members also attended the meeting in a show of support

Source: Berkshire mont