Nestucca High School Hosts Bobcat Back-to-School Bash and Honors Local Heroes

On September 10, Nestucca High School welcomed families, students, and community partners for its annual Bobcat Back-to-School Bash, an open house designed to connect parents with teachers and highlight resources available through local organizations. Attendees also had the chance to meet representatives from community partners including the Nestucca Rural Fire District, Tillamook County Library, Tillamook Bay Community College, Juntos, and many others.

The evening culminated with a moving recognition ceremony to honor the students, coaches, and first responders who saved the life of Assistant Football Coach, Frank Elsasser, during a medical emergency on June 17.

Nestucca Principal Emily Chadwick opened the ceremony with remarks reflecting on the courage, preparation, and teamwork that turned a life-threatening crisis into a story of hope and resilience.

“There are moments in life when everything changes in an instant,” Chadwick said. “What happened on that field in June will be remembered as a defining moment for everyone there — not least of which is Coach Frank Elsasser, who is with us today thanks to the heroic efforts of our Bobcats and the members of the rescue teams from Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District and Adventist Health Tillamook.”

Chadwick praised the quick and decisive actions of football players Brady Hurliman, Teagan Slavens, and Zeth Chapin, who performed CPR, retrieved the AED, and worked alongside Coach Kenny Hurliman and fellow teammates to stabilize Elsasser until first responders arrived. She also recognized Health Teacher Tevin Gianella for his life-saving instruction, as well as the Nestucca Rural Fire District and Adventist Health Tillamook ambulance team for their critical role in Elsasser’s recovery.

“There’s a saying: we don’t rise to the occasion; we fall back on our preparation. And that’s exactly what happened,” Chadwick said. “Preparation is not just a skill. It is a commitment — to the people around us. It turns fear into courage. It turns hesitation into action. It turns training into life-saving results.”

Following Chadwick’s address, Eric Swanson, President of Adventist Health Tillamook, and Hunter Pariani, President of Local 5169, the union representing local firefighters, joined the stage to present awards to the honorees.

Pariani presented Challenge Coins, noting it was the first time Local 5169 had ever bestowed such an honor — a powerful symbol of respect and recognition within fire service culture.

The Nestucca High School band and cheerleaders also performed, adding to the evening’s celebratory spirit.

Swanson closed his remarks with a reminder of the unity and spirit of the night: “We are all Bobcats tonight.”

“This moment was bigger than one coach, one team, or one school,” Chadwick said. “It was about culture. It was about values. It was about what’s possible when we care for each other and choose to be ready not just for ourselves, but for the people who depend on us. That is what it means to be a Bobcat.”