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From the Field to the Rescue: Dudley Athletes Step Up in Emergency

daquan kirby and kevin lopez wearing a shirt that says Dudley on it standing infront of a blue sign

Gabrielle Brown

Greensboro, N.C. - “Just another day.” That’s how two students describe their efforts to save a life at Dudley High School.

In late September, Daquan Kirby and Kevin Lopez were on their way to weight training when they noticed something alarming. A lawn mower was running, but the man who had been operating it had collapsed at the bottom of a small culvert, after suffering a medical emergency. The incident might have turned into tragedy if it hadn’t been for the young men's quick thinking and decisive actions.

Daquan and Kevin immediately recognized the gravity of the situation and sprang into action. Daquan dialed 911 and went over to check the man’s pulse while Kevin took control of the scene, instructing classmates to run and get adults to help. Kevin says he thought about a family member who was involved in a car accident when he saw the man and knew he needed to do his part to help someone when it mattered the most. “... there can’t be any hesitation; he could have died, so I knew I had to do something in that instant,” Kevin said.

While teachers responded to the scene, Daquan stayed on the phone with 911, receiving instructions on how to monitor the man’s vital signs. Medical professionals say that in an emergency, moments can make the difference between life and death, and things like checking for a pulse are critical to helping someone get the care they need. Daquan, a new Dudley student, says his instinct to check for a pulse came from a CPR class he took in his hometown of Chicago. “I just wanted to offer the best assistance I could,” Daquan said.

Both Daquan and Kevin are athletes—Kevin plays football, and Daquan runs track. While each sport emphasizes teamwork and making smart decisions, their athletic director and dean of students, Artouris Bryant, believes the character traits they displayed come from something deeper. “It shows a lot about how their parents are raising them. It shows that our kids go above and beyond for anyone in the community or outside the community, not just their friends,” Bryant said. “We’re in the social media era where kids just like to pull their phones out and videotape. But these kids sprang into action and those guys are humble.”

Humility is the best word to describe Daquan and Kevin. Both said that what they did was “just another day.” Daquan even forgot to mention the details of that day to his mom. She found out what happened when their principal called. “I would want someone to stop and help me,” Daqua nresponded.

Both Daquan and Kevin will be recognized by the Greensboro Fire Department during their annual awards banquet in February 2025.