Published January 27, 2026
BY CHOICE MUIVAH
Through the Carmel High School Red Cross Club, students have the opportunity to gain an American Red Cross CPR license, which can be earned after taking an online class provided by Red Cross as well as an in-person class taught by CHS sports medicine teacher Matt Borek.
“The process to put this together is definitely new for us,” explains sophomore Charlotte Kim, president of the CHS Red Cross Club. “I’m very excited for what’s to come and to be able to bring more affordable opportunities for students to learn about emergency care.”
Sophomore Charlotte Kim, president of Red Cross Club, practices on a CPR dummy as she prepares to demonstrate techniques for the upcoming certification course. Photo by CHOICE MUIVAH
As this is the club’s first year of offering the course, it will be only for members of Red Cross, with sign-ups available through Kim or Red Cross faculty adviser Nora Ward.
“Starting the exposure to those life-saving techniques at a young age will definitely help you be prepared for emergency situations,” says Borek, who’s had his CPR certification from the Red Cross for almost 20 years.
Borek will have students practice on CPR mannequins and practice using an AED, which delivers electric shocks to restore a person’s heart rate.
The course costs approximately $30, and its online portion will be mandatory for first time certifiers before they can attend the in-person class, which will begin around late March or early April and be held in the CHS gym.
The online class, provided by the American Red Cross website, is about two and half hours and will be completed during school at club meetings. Its material will go through how to identify signs of cardiac arrest or breathing issues, as well proper AED use.
“It’s a passion for me as well,” Ward explains. “I’m excited to be able to give to the community however I can.”
Aside from being prepared in case of emergency, CPR certification can be useful for summer jobs such as lifeguarding, camp counseling and babysitting.
“I want to pursue a nursing career, and I know learning CPR is something that will help me do that,” says freshman Sam Costa, a member of the Red Cross Club.
For those looking to renew their certification, only a shorter online review is required. After completing the hybrid course, a certificate will be sent via email.
