The North Carolina 9-1-1 Board recognized Iredell County Telecommunicator Mercy Helms on April 24 for her actions during an emergency call involving a young child earlier this year.
Helms was honored after she assisted a mother whose one-year-old child was having a seizure on February 13. While following standard procedures, Helms noticed the caller was struggling to remain calm. She then used grounding techniques, asking questions about the child’s eye color and favorite song to help the mother focus.
During the call, Helms encouraged the mother to sing to her child for comfort and joined in singing until paramedics arrived. Nikki Carswell, Iredell County’s 911 Deputy Director, said in her submission to the board: “That moment — those actions — were not scripted. They were not prompted by a protocol card. They were driven by compassion, emotional intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to care for another human being in crisis.”
The recognition highlights how telecommunicators serve as first responders who often provide crucial emotional support during emergencies.
Meanwhile, recent data shows that of 1,980 senior students taking the science portion of the ACT in Iredell County school districts during the 2022-23 school year, 534 students (27%) met college readiness benchmarks according to state education data. For junior students that same year, out of 2,140 test-takers in science, 616 (28.8%) reached college readiness levels according to state education data.
In reading proficiency among seniors taking the ACT in Iredell County schools during that period, 729 out of 1,980 (36.8%) achieved scores indicating they were ready for college-level work according to state education data. Among juniors taking reading tests on the ACT that year, there were similar results with 795 out of 2,140 (37.2%) considered ready according to state education data.
For math proficiency among seniors on the ACT in Iredell County schools during this time frame, only about one-quarter—519 out of 1,980 (26.2%)—were deemed prepared for college coursework according to state education data. Junior math performance was comparable: just over one-fourth—541 out of 2,140 students (25.3%)—met readiness standards according to state education data.
These statistics illustrate ongoing challenges faced by local schools as they seek ways both inside and outside classrooms—including through dedicated public servants like Helms—to support families and improve outcomes.