Four Academy Students Save Teacher's Life

Four students were credited for helping save their teacher’s life this month after he suffered a seizure in class.

During gym class April 12, physical education teacher Chad Buccini began suffering a seizure. Senior Juan Perez took his teacher’s radio and called Academy staff for help while junior Jacob Evens dialed 911 on his cell phone, district officials said.

Seniors Brian Rueda and Connor Holt followed the emergency dispatcher’s instructions to help care for Buccini until the paramedics arrived.

Buccini, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, attended Monday’s board meeting to help recognize the students for their leadership during a crisis situation.

Also Monday, the school board recognized district students who achieved national and state honors.

senior Alyssa Brdlik won a gold medal and Plainfield South High School senior Brenna Guiney earned a silver medal at the national Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and will be invited to attend the national ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June.

Their work was among only 1,500 pieces of art and writing nationwide selected out of more than 200,000 pieces submitted.

The school board on Monday also honored senior Tyler Eickholtz, who took 6th place at the state Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering competition held April 2 in Champaign. He is the first District 202 student to earn a medal at the state science competition.

Plainfield East High School senior Marissa Villarrubia was recognized for her work helping to recover stolen money as she traveled with her volleyball team on Interstate 294 last week. She and her teammates turned over to police nearly $5,000 that a , in hopes of getting rid of evidence.

Finally, the board honored second-grade teacher Kristi Uzzo, who was named the Illinois Education Association’s 2012 Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year.