Clay medical technology student helps save a life

Corinne Serres, a senior at Clay High School, had no idea she would have an opportunity to use what she was taught in her medical technology class while on spring break.

“It was the last day of spring break, and I was waiting for my plane in Miami International Airport,” Miss Serres said. “A woman was screaming for people to help her husband. She said he was having a seizure. There were people all around, and no one was doing anything. There were people right next to the couple on their cell phones. I guess I just rushed to him to help without much thought.”

Miss Serres said she told people to help get him on his side, a lesson she learned at Clay.

“He was not out of trouble at that point,” she explained. “He had bit his tongue and there was blood dripping down his face. His wife was scared. I ran and got the AED because the seizure was a long one.”

Miss Serres said the EMTs and police arrived about 20 minutes after a call was made. She overheard the man’s wife say he has had seizures before, but he had not had one in years.

“I never got their names, but I did hear they were flying to Philly,” she said.

The young lady, who had just turned 18, said she texted her teacher, medical technologies instructor Karrie Blewitt, right after the event.

“I wrote, ‘I saved a man’s life, Ms. B,’” Miss Serres explained. “I am just so glad I was taught about seizures and what to do.”

Ms. Blewitt, for her part, said she was a “hot mess” after the text.

“I was bawling, I was so proud of her,” she said. “She totally understood and used what she had been taught in my class. I am still so elated and proud.”

Ms. Blewitt began teaching the medical tech class two years ago. In her second year, she can also say she has had students compete in the HOSA, or Health Occupations Students of America, regional and state competitions.

“We had 36 students compete at regionals, and 14 placed to go to state competition,” she said. “Two of my senior students, Corrine and Makayla Vaughan, placed third at state, which qualified them to go to nationals June 25-30 in Houston. I am excited for them.”

HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services as well as several federal and state agencies.

Miss Serres and Miss Vaughan will compete in the Mental Health Promotions event. The state event had 2,535 competitors. The national competition will see 12,000-plus national and international competitors in 81 events.

“They worked hard on this all year, since October,” Ms. Blewitt said. “They were always asking fellow students and members of the staff how they were feeling daily. They really made a profound difference for everyone by doing that.”

The girls and other students in their class came up with a Linktree page, https://linktr.ee/claymedtech , which includes information on mental health and mental health disorders and also gives links to Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, VSCO, and their podcast.

“All of that has been sent to nationals as part of the competition,” Ms. Blewitt said. “They are maintaining the links and websites. The information in the link has and will continue to help people.”

The girls will also have to deliver a seven-minute speech that they have memorized at the competition.

Miss Serres, who will attend the University of Toledo to earn her bachelor of science in nursing degree, said she has wanted to be a nurse since seeing her nephew’s birth five years ago.

“I have learned so much in this class,” Miss Serres said. “From CPR to PCT skills, it will all help me in my nursing career.”

Miss Vaughan will also attend UT, but she said she is trying to decide which branch of the medical field she will be in.

The young lady has already used some of what she has learned to help teach a babysitting class to fifth through eighth-grade students.

“I taught cooking skills and safety,” she said. “We made ice cream, which was messy, but I also taught them about safety around the stove, microwave, and the oven. I know that I do want to be in the medical field. I just have to decide where yet.”

Rebecca Bihn, director of career and technology education for the Oregon schools, said she is very proud of Miss Vaughan, Miss Serres, and Ms. Blewitt.

“Ms. Blewitt has worked so hard to teach her students, and it shows,” Ms. Bihn said. “Having two go to nationals is just amazing.”

Ms. Bihn said the school, district, and the community are all proud of all of the students in the various career tech programs who have or will go to national competitions.

The school has programs in advanced manufacturing and machining, agriculture and environmental technologies, automotive technologies, computer science, construction technology, cosmetology, culinary arts, engineering design and development, marketing, medical technology, musical theater, and teaching professions.

In Business Professionals of America, Emma Fuller and Andrew Amborski both competed. Emma placed first at nationals.

In DECA, formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America, Natalie Gibbons and Karissa Sillman both competed at nationals.

In Future Farmers of America, Kamdyn Secord and Braylyn Sheetz also competed at the national level.

Hal Gregory, superintendent of Oregon schools, said he was proud of all of the students who competed at all levels this year.

“I am very proud of all our students in Career Tech and their ability to compete at the highest levels in the nation,” Mr. Gregory said.

Mr. Gregory said he was also thrilled to hear one of the district’s career tech students had a chance to use her skills in the real world already.

“Corrine is a true hero and leader,” Mr. Gregory said. “She embodies what Clay students learn and do in our programs. She is one of a kind for sure.”