District 97 is celebrating the heroic actions of three Holmes Elementary School staff members who worked together to save the life of a community member in need.
During recess on Aug. 31, Holmes administrative assistant Margaret O’Malley noticed a community member who had fallen off his bicycle and was unconscious near the school field. Margaret immediately called for help on her radio, prompting Holmes’ nurse Anne Marie Guerrier (“Nurse G”) to run outside and Principal Christine Zelaya to call 911. Holmes teacher assistant Connor Ficca grabbed the automated external defibrillator (AED), and ran across the field to bring it to Nurse G, who provided medical assistance to the man until paramedics from the Oak Park Fire Department arrived and took over.
Thanks to Anne’s expert medical care, and the quick-thinking actions of Margaret, Connor and other Holmes staff, Mark was responsive as the paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he later underwent surgery. The EMTs later told Principal Zelaya that Anne had likely saved his life.
Mark and his wife, Nancy, joined District 97 Superintendent Ushma Shah, Board President Gavin Kearney and other central office staff members to present Anne, Margaret and Connor with “We Are D97” awards.
“As a team, you guys worked together to save my life, and that is indescribable to me, other than just to say a big ‘thank you,” Mark said. “For all of you, it says a great deal about your school, your culture here, your leadership—how well you dealt with a very difficult situation with grace and with pride and with good training. Thank you.”
Dr. Shah praised Holmes staff for their sense of community as they came together to support Mark, their students and one another.
“We have so much agency to make a difference and act when necessary,” Shah said. “Thank you to Margaret, Connor and Nurse Anne for exhibiting that natural care for one another that makes us great.”