Two weeks ago, an FVHS student and Club Soul member injured herself on campus while attempting to do a handstand unsupervised. It was heard that she fell and injured her neck. Luckily, some of the staff along with students were able to take care of the girl as paramedics and firefighters arrived on the scene.
To get more information on the incident, we were able to interview Club Soul president Paulina Nguyen, who was near the incident at that time.
What exactly happened?
PN: She [the girl who got injured] was doing a handstand unsupervised against the brick wall near the 200 buildings. We had told her not to do that, because she was having trouble doing it by herself. Then the accident happened, and she ended up getting hurt.
What do you think about the incident?
PN: I think that she should have listened to me and followed the rules of the club. Obviously, she wasn’t thinking at that time.
Are there going to be any changes to Club Soul?
PN: No, there aren’t going to be any changes to the rules or how the club is going to be run. We are going to enforce the rules more during our sessions. There aren’t going to be waivers.
Have you heard anything from the girl?
PN: I have only heard that she she hurt her spinal cord. But all in all, she seems fine. I have seen her around school and she looks like she is doing well.
Anything you’d like to say to our Barons?
PN: I hope that everyone learns from this incident. There’s a reason why there are rules and everyone should follow them. Club Soul is not reliable for your injuries if you do not follow the club’s rules. Also, people should not exaggerate rumors in general, because many have circulated from this incident.
From an administrator’s perspective, we interviewed Principal Herzfeld.
From your knowledge, what happened?
PH: Club soul was having practice on campus, and a student attempted to do a certain dance move in a way that was against the club’s regulations. She ended up hurting herself.
Is the school going to issue regulations or make any changes to the club?
PH: No, we are not going to make any changes because we understand that the club has a certain set of rules that their members must follow. The incident also occurred on campus, where any student can get injured as well. We aren’t going to require waivers because Club Soul, like other clubs, is an equal access organization. It is extracurricular, so they are allowed to have the club. I would suggest that we take more reasonable precautions to prevent accidents in the future.
What is your opinion on the incident?
PH: I was sad that somebody got hurt. However, I think that we handled the situation efficiently; the adults at the time of the incident responded quickly and well, administration was able to take care of what they needed to do, and firemen and paramedics took good care of the student.
Have you had any contact with the girl?
PH: I haven’t had any contact with her or her family.
Anything you’d like to say to our Barons?
PH: Be careful! Our campus is very diverse and we are in no position to not let students express themselves. We need to enforce a reasonable amount of rules and have common sense. We also need to make good decisions.
We were not able to catch up with the girl herself, but it is a relief that she has been at school and is doing well. Remember Barons; be careful, and think before you act.
