It was only a week ago, last Monday morning. I was rushing to my workload, our two boys just started classes at our Snohomish High School, when I got a frightening text message from my son.  A girl was attacked on school grounds. Then that there were two girls. Police, ambulance. School is lockdown. Who, what - unclear, a nightmare for any parent in our town.

Once more facts came to light, it was worse  than imagined – a troubled student, with unknown to most history of mental problems , randomly attacked two other girls in school bathroom with a large knife. She was taken into police custody, girls to the hospital, one with life threatening wounds. Emails, phones, social media filled up with a simple message – pray for their well being. And the most amazing thing happened. They survived. April, who was more severely hurt - battled multitude of wounds, punctured lung and heart, four millimeters away from killing her on a spot.
It is hard to imagine the horror of the scene but we are humbled and spirited by the outcome. A kaleidoscope of people united with only one thought - help. In probably chaotic, totally unexpected circumstances everybody pulled through like a true hero, adding a puzzle piece to the whole miracle. Strikingly, it was not a single act of one right person but the whole community of people driven by desire to help and nothing else. That’s what worked.

Most  of the decisions had to be taken immediately and were probably uncomfortable and scary. But whoever was on path, allowed himself to be selflessly guided instead of wasting time on self doubt.  When April was attacked, her best friend Bekah screamed for help and returned to the bathroom and tried to stop the horror. It was part of a miracle. She was stabbed herself but help came. Boys hearing cries for help, confused I bet, entered the girls’ bathroom not knowing what’s happening. It was part o f a miracle. One pushed the weapon away so it could not be reached. Benjamin, a senior student, held the bleeding girl till paramedics arrived. It saved her life. Snohomish High School was just awarded “a Most Spirited High School”. It truly is.

Teachers, police, paramedics, they all took the right action, having many options to choose. It saved her life.  Paramedics saw the need for immediate surgery and did not put her on a helicopter. They rushed to nearest emergency center instead. They were part of the miracle. Hospital stuff did not move her to the operating room to save time and saved her life. A surgeon held the artery with his fingers to allow others to operate. He became part of miracle. 32 doctors and nurses at Providence Medical Center in Everett performed every action that was needed to save her life. They were part of miracle. But most of all April never gave up and held to the life she was given even without the physical strength. Her heart stopped three times. She allowed herself to be a miracle and she was back home this weekend.

Everybody who was touched by the story is now a part of it. All of us who sent prayers, thoughts, cards and good wishes – we became a part of a miracle much bigger than us. School dressed up in pink, April’s favorite color. Rivaling Glacier Peak high school wore Snohomish school colors. "She had an angel sitting on her shoulder guiding her, and us, through this whole thing," Snohomish Fire Capt. Jason Leighty said. "It was an amazing outcome given the horrible circumstances”.  

I observe this week with tremendous humbleness in my heart and gratitude. Each of the people listed would shrug their shoulders being called a hero. But it saved life and even more than that. All became part of incredible miracle and unity and it worked. We should note that, the call to do our best will come again. The last years have been tough and to experience the selfless nature of fellow people has the healing power. A healing power of unity and believing.

Alina Bartell

I don’t have the list of all people who helped. The Snohomish High School staff with its Principal Beth Porter, The Snohomish Police with its Chief John Turner, Snohomish Fire District No. 4, students, many others, including the local press keeping us updated are all part of the outcome. Thank You!

This link shows the names of the seven Snohomish firefighters and the 32 doctors, nurses and medical experts at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett who are credited with working together to save April Rose Lutz. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111028/NEWS01/710289817#Those-who-helped-save-Aprils-life