Honoring Two Manchester Students Who Stepped Up in a Crisis

At our Annual Meeting on Saturday, we were honored to recognize Memorial High School students Jadiel Mota and Rajahn Carrero for their quick thinking and compassion when their school bus driver became ill earlier this year. Both students were presented with NHSFA certificates, challenge coins, and pins, and each received a $250 scholarship to support their continuing studies.

On May 29, 2025, their bus driver, Annese, fell ill while bringing students home. Jadiel immediately got on the radio to contact the dispatcher and provide their location, while Rajahn stayed by the driver’s side, kept him calm, and asked other students for food and water when they realized he hadn’t eaten enough. Medical staff later determined he was dehydrated and, thankfully, he is doing well. As they shared with us, they acted because “someone had to care, and it was up to us.”

It was refreshing to see two young people step up, stay calm, and take charge in a moment of need. The NHSFA looks forward to Jadiel and Rajahn’s future participation in emergency services. Rajahn is already a member of the Junior Fire Explorers Post 7635 at Station 7 in Manchester, with aspirations to become a Firefighter or EMT and to work on emergency vehicles. The students and bus driver all agreed that everyone on the bus deserved a shout-out for their support that day.

Read more about their actions here.

 L to R: Thomas Green, President NHSFA; students Jadiel Mota and Rajahn Carrero, Manchester Fire Explorer; Larry Benoit, Strafford County Representative for the NHSFA.