A Paso Robles sixth grader is headed to the national stage next month to show off some pretty impressive skills that could save your life.
As a big sister, Skyler Collins knows life can be unpredictable and in the event of a cardiac emergency, this 11-year-old is bound to jump into action.
“I know CPR for infants, toddlers, children and adults. What if an emergency happens? I have two little siblings and anything can happen in the house,” Collins said.
The Flamson Middle Schooler is certified to potentially save your life.
“For an infant you have to do two fingers, for a child one hand and for an adult you have to use both hands,” Collins said.
Skyler is proving her life-saving skills through a national competition program called Skills USA. Her Principal Gene Miller says the program helps develop a skilled workforce.
“Skills USA really allows students to be involved with the technical education part. At the high school level there’s welding, there’s childcare, police science, fire science, so there are all sorts of things kids can do that really are working toward those technical careers,” Miller explained.
Skyler’s demonstration of CPR won her a gold medal at the state competition. Now, she’s preparing for Nationals in June as the only middle schooler from SLO county to ever advance to this level.
“We’re just super proud of Skyler and hoping that she goes on and brings home gold,” said Miller.
Miller says Skyler’s success has sparked other students’ interest and now they’re launching a Skills USA chapter on campus.
“It’s really part of Paso Robles’ idea that we get kids ready for not just college but for career,” Miller said.
Skyler’s demonstration comes with an important life lesson: “You’ve got to take action. You’ve got to save a life,” Skyler said.
Skyler will travel to Louisville, Kentucky in June to compete with 6,000 students from across the country.
