A routine afternoon at Mount Mahogany Elementary turned critical on October 23, 2025, when school nurse Jill Anderson used an AED and CPR to revive crossing guard Kirk Nixon, who had collapsed in cardiac arrest. Anderson’s immediate response, running the AED to the scene, applying the pads, delivering a shock, and beginning compressions, kept Nixon alive until paramedics arrived. Because of her decisive action, Nixon has made a full recovery, is home from the hospital, and is walking again.
“Before it happened, it was just an ordinary day,” Anderson said. She had just helped an injured student back inside when the office received a call, first thought to be a car accident, then clarified as a cardiac arrest involving the school’s crossing guard. “My heart started pumping really fast. That adrenaline hit immediately, and I knew exactly what I needed to do.”
Anderson ran for the AED without hesitation. “I think it was the fastest I’ve ever run in my life,” she said. As she reached the crosswalk, she saw a bystander performing CPR. “I remember thinking, ‘Okay, this is really happening.’” Anderson immediately activated the AED, placed the pads, and allowed the device to assess the heart rhythm. It advised a shock, which she delivered before beginning chest compressions herself.
Her training allowed her to act quickly and with confidence. “I just kept thinking, ‘We’ve got to keep going.’ I knew the AED and my skills were his best chance until help arrived,” she said. Paramedics later connected their advanced equipment directly to the school’s AED pads, preserving valuable time during the resuscitation.
Nixon later learned he had flatlined twice once at the hospital. When he woke the next day, his first question was, “Are the kids okay?” He expressed deep gratitude for the woman who saved his life. “I’m just so grateful and so blessed that they were there and that they were so good at what they did,” he said. “I’ll take the broken ribs if that’s what it takes to stay alive.”
While Anderson recognizes the important support roles of others—a bystander, the secretaries, a police officer, and paramedics—she is clear about the critical turning point. “Getting that AED on his chest as fast as possible is what saved his life. Every second mattered,” she said.
Her actions were formally recognized on Tuesday, January 28, when the Alpine School District Board of Education honored her with the Alpine Spirit of Excellence Award. During the meeting, Anderson stood beside Nixon and Mount Mahogany’s principal as she received the award. A photo of the three—captured at the moment of recognition—will accompany this story on the ASD homepage.
Anderson hopes the experience inspires others to learn CPR and understand the importance of accessible AEDs. Alpine School District maintains an AED in every building and supports legislation that would make this a statewide requirement. She also supports efforts to place full-time nurses in every school. “Emergencies can happen any day of the week. Having trained medical professionals in schools prevents delays in care,” she said.
Reflecting on the outcome, Anderson described overwhelming relief. “I cried a little. I was just so grateful I was there, because everything aligned for this man to get the care he needed,” she said.
For Alpine School District, the event reflects a Culture of Excellence, professionals who rise to the moment, act decisively, and protect their communities. Anderson’s swift response and expertise exemplify the commitment the district strives to champion and retain.