LSU Students, UREC Instructor Honored for Saving a Life

On March 19, 2023, five LSU students jumped into action and used their American Red Cross training to save the life of 19-year-old Noah Duncan when he collapsed while playing basketball. The team was quick to respond, contacting 911 and performing six rounds of CPR and an AED shock to help the student regain consciousness before emergency personnel arrived.

LSU UREC Student Staff Members Simone Schomberg, Alona Olivier, Dayla Harris and Luke Ducote received the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, the highest award given to individuals or group of individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

LSU student Monesha Miller-Becnel received the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action, an award bestowed upon individuals who lack Red Cross training, but nonetheless step up during a time of an emergency to alleviate suffering.

UREC Assistant Director of Student Employment and Training Brittany Morriss received the American Red Cross Lifesaving Instructor Award, one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross to instructors who teach the skills that help to saves or sustain lives.

“We’re extremely proud to present awards to these heroes who stepped up in an emergency situation and helped save a life,” said Ed Bush, Executive Director of the CapWest chapter of the Louisiana Red Cross. “These individuals exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies and are to be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.”

The American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards has a long-storied history, with roots dating as far back as 1911. Since their inception, the awards have been about providing recognition to those, who in a time of an emergency, use their lifesaving skills or knowledge to save or sustain a life. It has since evolved from one standalone award, into three, starting in 1928 - the Certificate of Merit, the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders and Healthcare Professionals and the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. All the awards and their recipients embody the spirit of the Red Cross, by using action to help alleviate human suffering in the face of an emergency.

Since the Lifesaving Awards revival in 2018, The Red Cross is proud to announce we have awarded nearly 2,400 individuals worldwide and as a result, they have helped to save nearly 2,000 lives. 

The LSU UREC offers adult and pediatric first aid, CPR and AED classes to students and the public monthly for $75. Participants that pass this course will receive a certification valid for two years encompassing emergency response related to adult, child, and pediatric CPR, AED, and First Aid. Failure to complete or receive a passing score in the class will receive a refund with a $10.00 deduction from your registration total as an administration and processing fee. To register, visit urecportal.lsu.edu.