Way to go! Sophomore Samantha Kravietz

Samantha Kravietz is helping to breathe life into a campaign that would mandate CPR training in New York's high schools.

The sophomore at Portledge School in Locust Valley was one of five students statewide invited to participate in a forum last month at the American Heart Association's New York Lobby Day in Albany.

The event was designed to push for legislation requiring instruction in all health classes that would teach teens CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

"The current legislation does not require students to be certified in CPR or for instructors to be certified," said Kravietz, 15, who suffers from vasovagal episodes that typically lead to low blood pressure and fainting.

Kravietz met with several legislators -- including Senate Education Committee chairman John Flanagan (R-East Northport) -- and spoke about her efforts to train some 100 Portledge seniors in CPR and to buy three AEDs for the school.

To raise funds for training, the school's Safe Hearts Club held fundraisers such as bake sales and a letter-writing campaign in which students sought donations from family members.