by Kimia Pakdaman
Editor-in-Chief
   On March 21, LGHS held its first Wildcat Heart Day in honor of Michael Halpin. Athletes from almost all LGHS sports came to the Community Room on Saturday to get their blood pressure taken, to receive an EKG screening, and to learn to do CPR and to use defibrillators. All of these activities were free due to the Halpin family’s generous donation, and not only help from parent volunteers, but also experts from Good Samaritan Hospital.

   From 8 AM to 5 PM, parents and doctors put the athletes through different tests. The day started with a sign-up table in front of the Community Room. Athletes then waited for a volunteer to take their blood pressure. While waiting, students conversed with each other. “It was fun seeing all the girls from the field hockey team,” commented junior Brittany Bersano, “We got to talk with each other while we waited.”

   The athletes then went to the dance studio to receive an EKG. An Electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a test used to detect possible structural problems within the heart. Good Samaritan doctors and volunteers had previously set up the machines in the studio, and students went behind black curtains to have their hearts tested for different diseases, such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

   After this exam, athletes moved on to the small gym and to what coordinator Donna Schreiber called the “activities room.” This room consisted of volunteers from Santa Clara County’s Fire Department, EMS, Disaster Response Service, and AMR. These volunteers taught athletes CPR tactics and how to use defibrillators. “All the music you hear is in 100 beats per minute, the way you’re supposed to practice CPR. So if you know one of these songs, you’ll be good,” said Schreiber.

   Along with these practicing stations, there were tables with information about heart diseases, as well as general health facts. One table had a 49ers helmet signed by several football stars and former NFL cornerback Ronnie Lott’s football jersey, signed by Lott himself. All those that attended were automatically entered into a raffle to win these prizes. The Halpin family was also in the small gym to represent their organization, the Michael Halpin Legacy, whose goal is to raise awareness about heart conditions. Athletes were able to sign their names and write notes for the family in the scrapbook.

   Students had an educational and interesting time on March 21, learning not only how to take care of themselves, but also how to take care of their teammates. The day seemed to be an overall success, and the Halpin family hopes to make these heart screenings a regular event not only at Los Gatos, but nation wide.