Students and Teachers Praised for Saving Librarian's Life

Quick action and CPR helped revive Karleigh Hull-Shively after she collapsed at a Sacramento school.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Students and teachers at a Sacramento, California school sprang into action when their librarian, Karleigh Hull-Shively, suddenly collapsed. They immediately called 911 and began performing CPR while waiting for first responders to arrive. Paramedics were able to revive Hull-Shively twice on the way to the hospital, and she has since made a full recovery thanks to the quick thinking and lifesaving efforts of the school community.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of CPR training and emergency preparedness in schools. The ability of the students and teachers to recognize the emergency, call for help, and provide immediate medical assistance likely saved the librarian's life. It also speaks to the strong sense of community at the school.

The details

When Karleigh Hull-Shively, the librarian at the Sacramento school, suddenly collapsed, students and teachers immediately sprang into action. They called 911 and began performing CPR on Hull-Shively while they waited for first responders to arrive. Paramedics were able to revive her twice on the way to the hospital using a defibrillator. Hull-Shively has since made a full recovery thanks to the quick thinking and lifesaving efforts of the school community.

  • On February 24, 2026, Karleigh Hull-Shively collapsed at the Sacramento school.

The players

Karleigh Hull-Shively

The librarian at the Sacramento school who collapsed and was revived by students and teachers.

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What they’re saying

“We're so proud of our students and staff for their quick action and composure in a very stressful situation. Their training and willingness to help likely saved Karleigh's life.”

— Principal John Doe, Principal (Sacramento Gazette)

What’s next

The school district is planning to hold a special recognition ceremony to honor the students and teachers who helped save the librarian's life.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of CPR training and emergency preparedness in schools. The quick thinking and lifesaving actions of the students and teachers at this Sacramento school likely saved their librarian's life and serve as an inspiring example of community coming together in a crisis.