Vice principal is honored as 2009 Educator Hero

Photo courtesy of JMCHS

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George Angelo (right), Judge Memorial Catholic HIgh School vice principal, is honored as the 2009 Educator Hero by the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross.

SALT LAKE CITY —George Angelo, Judge Memorial Catholic High School vice principal, was honored at the American Red Cross Annual Heroes Luncheon at the Salt Palace March 18. With over 350 attendees, including a contingent of Judge Memorial students, Angelo was honored as the 2009 Educator Hero by the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"I was so impressed in my experience with George Angelo, when I was asked to go up and evaluate an earthquake drill that Judge Memorial was having," said Neva Baker, director of development for the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"Basically I was prepared to go up and see adult professional responders responding at the drill the school had coordinated," said Baker. "When I got up there, I was amazed because the first thing I saw was a team of students with their medical bags, radios, cell phones, and they all knew exactly what it was they were supposed to be doing."

"Austin Morelli-Saurdiff, a senior at Judge Memorial said, "It is good to go in and learn medical procedures, and learn how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is good to know how to handle triage."

Triage is a process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition. This rations patient treatment efficiently when resources are insufficient for all to be treated immediately.

"We perform triage when we work earthquake drills and fire drills," said Morelli-Saurdiff. "We learn the kind of skills that if you are going on a day-to-day basis, and someone gets hurt, you are the person they come to because you know what you are doing."

"First-aid is definitely important, because it is something you can learn at school, and then take away from school," said Elizabeth Oreilly, a senior at Judge Memorial. "You can use these skills for the rest of your life."

"Well the program first began when I arrived here in Salt Lake City about 12 years ago," said Angelo. "When I arrived at Judge Memorial, I began a Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Program. Each year we have close to 100 students who are prepared for emergency response and CPR at the school level."

"When I was a junior and I came to Judge Memorial, I had heard of the Sports Med program, and was incredibly interested," said senior Anthony Abt. "The skills I learned the first year were incredibly useful. It was the universal skills I learned that I can use outside school, in school, or in anything that I do."

"It has been neat for me as a teacher because it empowers the students to be part of their education, and part of learning," said Angelo. "So after 32 years of teaching, I am still absolutely amazed and so proud of these young people and how they have embraced this, and how they understand community service, and helping each other. It is wonderful each day, as we have little emergencies, and sometimes big emergencies, to have peers helping peers at school. It is a wonderful aspect of our school."

A video of Educator Hero can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com.