A first-of-its-kind initiative to make local schools safer has officially launched at St. Cloud Middle School, thanks to the collaboration of State Representative Paula Stark, the Osceola County School District, and St. Cloud Fire Chief Jason Miller.
The program provides hands-only CPR training to staff at both St. Cloud Middle School and St. Cloud High School. Led by the St. Cloud Fire Rescue Department, the training ensures teachers and staff are better prepared to respond to emergencies and potentially save lives.
Representative Stark explained that the project has its roots in her Build-a-Bill competition, a civics initiative she introduced to engage middle school students in the legislative process.
“The CPR training idea came about from one of our Build-a-Bill contest winners—Evangeline Marrero, Aaliyah Rodriguez, and Ella Wetzel—who presented this idea as their bill in 2023,” Stark said.
“The Build-a-Bill contest is something near and dear to my heart. I started this project when I was first elected as a way of connecting with our students and getting them to engage in civics and government.”
The annual competition allows students to identify an issue affecting Florida communities, research solutions, and propose a bill. The top five bills are selected by an advisory council, with finalists presenting to a panel of judges. The winning bill is submitted to the Florida Legislature by Representative Stark.
Although the CPR training bill did not pass at the state level, local leaders brought the idea to life in Osceola County, demonstrating the power of student voices to influence real change.
“This project providing CPR training to the staff in our schools will help us be safer and more prepared, not just for our children but also for the fellow staff at the school,” Stark added. “The next time a student has a serious health event, no teacher or staff member will have to ask ‘what if?’ As a result of our thoughtful students, faculty and staff will have the skills, the tools, and the training to begin life-saving measures.”
With this initiative, St. Cloud is taking a major step forward in protecting its students, educators, and community—turning a classroom idea into a life-saving reality.
