Two HCSD Nurses Honored for Heroic Care

(October 13, 2025) – Two nurses in the Harrison County School District are being hailed as heroes! On Monday night, they received well-deserved recognition before the Harrison County School Board for their remarkable professionalism, compassion, and heroic care! 

Nurse Allie Black of River Oaks Elementary and Nurse Mary Dedeaux of Three Rivers Elementary were commended for exemplifying the very best of our nursing team. Nurse Black was praised for her outstanding performance in using her CPR skills to save the life of a co-worker at River Oaks who was suffering from a sudden heart condition. What’s even more amazing is Nurse Black performed CPR while she was nearly nine months pregnant!

During a recent medical emergency at Three Rivers Elementary, Nurse Dedeaux was lauded for maintaining a calm demeanor and demonstrating outstanding professionalism in extraordinary circumstances.

HCSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Weaver had the honor of presenting the awards. HCSD Superintendent William Bentz commended both nurses, saying, “They showed courage, compassion, and dedication, and we can’t thank them enough for the heart they’ve poured into their profession.”

Nurses Black and Dedeaux consistently go above and beyond to keep our students and staff safe and well-cared for, and we are incredibly blessed to have both nurses as part of our HCSD family!