Press Contact: Tonya Daniels, Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations | E-mail: tdaniels@elmhurst205.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2024
District 205 is happy to share this story in partnership with Chloe and her family. While this story has ended with such a tremendous outcome, it is a great reminder of the importance of CPR training and is exactly why all coaches attend CPR certification classes at the start of each year. Thank you to the Peot family for their partnership in sharing this amazing story.
Elmhurst, IL – On April 12, 2024 Chloe Peot, Senior at York Community High School, joined her track and field team members at Downers Grove North High School for their track meet where she was to perform the triple jump. As she completed her jump and stood up, spectators and coaches quickly realized that something wasn’t right. Chloe collapsed and was unconscious. Quickly remembering his CPR training provided to all District coaches at the beginning of each year, assistant coach Nicholas (Niko) Karavolos immediately began implementing CPR chest compressions. Within minutes, paramedics arrived, administered the AED, and transported Chloe to the nearby hospital where she was put on a ventilator.
"Coach Niko did exactly what he was trained to do in an emergency situation," shared Dr. Keisha Campbell, Superintendent of Schools for Elmhurst School District 205. “We never know how we will react in an emergency situation and Coach Niko quickly sprang into action, and undoubtedly saved her life. We are so grateful for the intentional work of our Assistant Principal for Athletics, Rob Wagner, to coordinate CPR training for all coaches every year in partnership with the Elmhurst Fire Department."
If performed immediately, statistics have proven that CPR can double or triple the chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Due to the swift and calm response by Assistant Coach Nicholas Karavolos, Chloe has made a full recovery and returned to school. Having missed her prom while she was recovering, Chloe and her track and field teammates will be attending a special “track prom” that York staff are hosting for Chloe.
Doctors and nurses have since shared with the Peot family that the actions taken by Assistant Coach Nicholas Karavolos, without a doubt, saved Chloe’s life.