Miss America’s Teen Peyton Bolling returns to Arkansas statehouse to support cardiac safety in schools
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 6, 2025 – In her first visit to the capitol since being crowned Miss America’s Teen, Peyton Bolling of Bentonville joined more than 60 American Heart Association advocates for Arkansas Advocacy Day. Bolling and others met with members of the Arkansas Legislature to talk about the need for cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) in schools
On Tuesday, state Rep. Lee Johnson of Greenwood (Sebastian County) introduced House Bill 1398, which requires public schools to create emergency response teams, develop a CERP and run practice drills. It also ensures that AEDs (automated external defibrillators) are strategically placed in schools.
A CERP is a written document that establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in school settings. These plans can be stand-alone guidelines or merged with a school’s existing medical emergency response plans. The safety of students, school staff and visitors can be enhanced when school CERP teams are trained and empowered to administer lifesaving care until emergency medical services arrive.
“Civic engagement is essential, especially for young people,” said Bolling. “HB 1398 would save lives from cardiac arrest on Arkansas school campuses like mine. If successful, this bill would be a powerful example of how students can create real change by getting involved.”
Kennedy Allison, a junior at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, shared her experience as a survivor of sudden cardiac arrest in 2019. Allison, then 15 and a cheerleader at Pea Ridge High School, fell unconscious in class and was saved by a school nurse and a coach who performed CPR and used an AED in the school. She returned to a relatively normal life just a few months later.
”I am alive today because school staff knew what to do and there was an AED available in case of emergencies like mine,” Allison said. “I want to make sure all kids have the same safety measures in place that helped me.”
Her mom, Jennifer Allison, remembers the day clearly.
“No one ever expects something like this to happen to their child,” the mom said. “We are lucky to be at a school that was prepared to act. It should never be a matter of luck that a school is prepared for a heart emergency.”
Arkansas Advocacy Day included meetings with members of the Arkansas Legislature to talk about the need for every school and athletic event/facility to have a CERP in place.
“Having plans in place to quickly activate in the event of a cardiac event saves lives,” says Johnson, a doctor. “When we have practiced CPR, know to call 911, and know where the nearest AED is located, more people will survive a cardiac arrest.”
More than 356,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital in the United States each year. Without the proper response from people nearby, 90% of these incidents of cardiac arrest will result in death. It is estimated that about 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually and that about 40% of these incidents are sports-related.
Arkansas requires CPR training as a graduation requirement, ensuring that every year, more people are ready to take action when a cardiac arrest occurs in our communities. However, the state lacks laws requiring schools to have a plan in place if an incident of cardiac arrest were to occur on their campus – whether at an athletic event or a school facility.
“Parents and community members are often at schools for plays, concerts, and athletic events, so schools having a regularly reviewed and practiced plan can have a tremendous impact,” said Dave Oberembt, director of government relations for the American Heart Association in Arkansas.
The American Heart Association asks teachers, students, coaches, parents, and the medical community to contact their local legislators to let them know this policy is a top priority for families and communities and to make sure schools can implement these proven lifesaving plans. Learn more and get involved at https://www.heart.org/en/nation-of-lifesavers or text SMART to 46839.
# # #
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook or X by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
