Written in collaboration with Dr. April Barker, HOSA advisor in Pasadena ISD
PASADENA, TEXAS – What began as a celebratory evening for Pasadena high school student Makaylla Talavera quickly turned into a real-life emergency response scenario—one that tested her training, resilience, and leadership under pressure.
Talavera, a senior, is a student in the Health Science Practicum course and a member of HOSA – Future Health Professionals. As part of her coursework, she earned certification through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, a federal initiative administered by FEMA and the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The program trains individuals to respond effectively to disasters, providing critical assistance in situations where professional responders may be delayed.
Earlier that day, Talavera had competed in the Texas HOSA Area 6 Competition, placing second in CERT Skills alongside her teammate. The victory qualified them for the state competition in April. After returning to school, she stayed on campus to volunteer with the Texas Color Guard Circuit competition, an event that had drawn a large crowd of band members and spectators.
Around 6:02 p.m., while standing near the dining hall, Talavera heard a loud noise—initially mistaking it for a fallen table. Within moments, the shouts of “active shooter” filled the air, and people began to flee. A gunman had fired into the crowded event space. Talavera ran with a group of students through the dining hall and exited the building. As they reached an open field near the front of the campus, someone called out her name: “Makaylla can help you. She is the HOSA President. Trust her.”
Turning around, Talavera saw an adult male who had been shot. As he spoke, he collapsed. With her CERT training instinctively kicking in, she quickly assessed the scene. Understanding the importance of safety, she realized they were still exposed and did not know if the shooter was at large. She instructed two students to help move the victim to a safer location—a walled-off area near a dumpster across the street from the school.
Once there, Talavera cleared debris from the ground and conducted an initial medical assessment. She confirmed the victim had been shot and was losing blood. She directed another student to call 911 and asked someone else to remove their shirt so she could use it to apply direct pressure to the wound. Recognizing signs of shock as the victim reported tingling and numbness in his arms, she instructed a bystander to elevate his feet while continuing to keep him alert. When he asked her if he was going to die, she responded with calm reassurance: “I’m doing everything I can. EMS is on the way. I just need you to stay awake.”
Surrounded by frightened students, Talavera maintained control of the situation, reminding them to stay quiet for their own safety. She continued applying pressure to the wound and monitoring the victim until paramedics arrived. Witnesses later recalled that emergency responders had to pry her away, as she refused to release pressure on the wound until help had fully taken over. The victim, in critical condition, was airlifted to the Houston Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.
Dr. April Barker, Talavera’s Health Science instructor and HOSA advisor, credits her student’s training and composure for saving a life. “Had Makaylla not acted as swiftly as she did, the outcome could have been tragically different,” Barker said. “She remained calm, applied her training, and made the greatest impact possible for this individual and his family.”
Talavera’s actions exemplify the real-world significance of emergency preparedness training in schools. For one night in Pasadena, Texas, a high school student became a hero—proving that knowledge, courage, and leadership can make the difference between life and death.
