Rowlett, TX (March 12, 2026) – Just a few weeks ago, as National Heart Month came to a close, the students at Rockwall ISD’s Doris Cullins–Lake Pointe Elementary gathered for a special assembly.
In front of them were a row of tables laid out with mannequins ready for a life-saving skills training session. As Karen Allen, a paramedic with over thirty years of experience teaching CPR, gave a demonstration, the gymnasium began to buzz with excitement.
With her husband, Bart, a Registered Respiratory Therapist, also with 30 years of healthcare experience, they teamed up to instruct over five hundred enthusiastic Prek-5th grade students on life-saving measures!
Every year, we hear heartwarming stories about how young people intervene to save the life of someone they love. Recalling something they saw on tv or perhaps learning from a family member, each story proves that anyone can be a life-saving hero!
The purpose of this class was to not only teach those skills, said Allen, but also to build confidence in how to respond in an emergency.
“You are never too young to help in an emergency,” Allen shared. “Everyone has a role to play. You could be the one to call 911 or you could be the one to get an adult. You may even be the one to start CPR.”
Proving that age is never a barrier when it comes to learning essential skills, Allen tailored her teaching to the students ages and abilities.
While the interactive demonstration allowed each student the opportunity to practice hands-only CPR and perform chest compressions, age-appropriate discussion centered around important aspects of emergency response.
Covering basics for the youngest students, such as:
- What is the universal sign for choking?
- Never run and hide if you are choking. Find a grown-up to help you.
- Call 911. Do you know how to make an emergency call on a cell phone? If not, talk to your parents about how to do that.
Older elementary students received AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) demonstrations with a discussion about where those were located and why they might be used.
Being a witness to an emergency might be an intimidating experience, but these students learned that preparedness is empowering – and their knowledge could someday save the life of a loved one, classmate, friend, or community member.
The day-long event underscored the importance of all ages learning CPR and was a follow up to an adult class coordinated by Cullins-Lake Pointe PTA President, Ashley Baumann, earlier in the week. In that lesson, all PTA members were invited to participate at no cost.
Parents who want to learn CPR are encouraged to visit the American Heart Association website for classes near them.
Blue Ribbon News Staff Report. Photos courtesy of Karen Allen, EMT-P.
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