Training pays off when student collapses while jogging
By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO For High School North physical education teacher Trevor Warner, three minutes never felt like such a long time. As the seconds ticked by, waiting for an ambulance, Mr. Warner kept a child’s heart beating.
During gym class on Monday afternoon, Mr. Warner noticed that one of his students had fallen on his back while about 70 students were jogging to the outdoor adventure course out on the school fields.
”At first I thought he was playing around with his classmates,” he said. “Then I realized he was having a seizure. It wasn’t long after I called 9-1-1 that I knew I needed to begin CPR.”
Mr. Warner said he already knew the 15-year-old student had a heart condition.
”I was saying ‘don’t leave me, don’t quit, don’t give up, stay with me, keep breathing,’ he said. “I didn’t know if he could hear me but I didn’t care.”
Physical education teacher Tammy Petrocelli, who led her class outside only a few minutes after Mr. Warner’s, said she saw a crowd of students and one running toward her to get help.
”My first thought was that I didn’t have my cell phone on me,” she said. “But then I saw Trevor had already called 9-1-1 and was talking to the student. I couldn’t be prouder of his ability to stay calm, to make those split-second decisions it looked like it came out of a textbook.”
When the paramedics arrived to take over, it was clear that Mr. Warner’s quick thinking had saved the child’s life. Principal Michael Zapicchi said Mr. Warner truly acted like a trained professional.
”He read the student’s health and knew the student had a medical issue,” he said. “He should really be applauded for what he did.”
Mr. Warner said he was thankful for the other students’ maturity and helpfulness during the emergency. He said students acted quickly when directed to wave the police in and retrieve the nurse.
”They’re 15-year-old kids and they acted so responsibly. They did a phenomenal job,” he said.
Superintendent Victoria Kniewel and Debbie Baer, president of the West Windsor Plainsboro Education Association, praised Mr. Warner’s actions as an “act of heroism” at the Board of Education’s meeting Tuesday night.
”It talks about complex nature of teaching,” Ms. Baer said. “You’ll never know exactly what will happen next.”
Mr. Warner, who has taught in the district for 16 years, said he had never administered CPR before. Ms. Petrocelli said the former lifeguard and father of two has demonstrated the qualities of an exceptional teacher in the five years she’s known him.
”He’s such a motivational speaker and always positive,” she said. “His sense of humor is great and he really enjoys his job.”
Mr. Zapicchi said the student’s family has requested that the student’s name and details of his condition be kept private at this time. But Mr. Warner said he knows the student is doing well.
”I can’t wait to see him when he comes back to school,” he said.

