High School Junior Dies at Cheer Camp: Urgent Call for EKGs to Detect Heart Condition
A tragic incident occurred recently at a cheer camp, where a rising high school junior lost her life. Callie Mitchell, a 16-year-old from Morton Ranch High School in Katy, Texas, passed away while attending the camp at Texas A&M. Her mother, Michelle Donahue, is an assistant principal at the school.
The devastating events unfolded when a coach contacted Callie’s parents, inquiring if she had experienced any difficulties waking up that morning. Michelle Donahue responded with a resounding never. Concerned, Callie’s parents immediately went to the campus, only to discover that CPR had been performed on their daughter.
Thanks to the quick actions of a coach, Callie’s parents were able to say their goodbyes before she was airlifted to Texas Children’s Hospital. Her father, Scott Donahue, revealed that Callie suffered from long QT syndrome, a conduction disorder affecting the heart’s electrical system. This condition is often inherited.
According to Scott, it is likely that Callie experienced a cardiac arrest caused by her long QT syndrome. Surprisingly, this condition can be detected through an electrocardiogram (EKG), a test that is currently optional during athletic physicals in Texas.
In light of their devastating loss, Callie’s father is urging parents to consider getting EKGs for their children. He emphasized the lack of EKGs in regular physical examinations, stating, For any other parents out there, you know they do physicals every year. EKGs are not part of a physical. Get an EKG.
Callie Mitchell was a vibrant and cheerful young lady who had been involved in cheerleading since the age of two. She radiated positivity and aimed to be a friend to everyone she met. Her parents described her as being passionate about many things, including reading, spending time with loved ones, and caring for her French bulldogs, Eugene and Ruby.
As a devoted Taylor Swift fan, Callie enjoyed driving with the windows down, fully embracing life’s every moment. She had a particular fondness for the color pink, which reflected her vibrant personality. Callie delighted in meals from Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Free Birds, queso from various restaurants, and Texas Roadhouse.
Her parents also shared that Callie had a distinctive connection with time, often making a wish at 11:11 a.m., believing in the magic of the moment. She displayed her unwavering devotion to her faith by attending church and insisting on sitting in the front row. Callie adorned her car, named ‘Faith,’ with a cross hanging from the mirror, symbolizing her unyielding commitment.
Callie had dreams of becoming a child psychologist and had plans to attend Great Adventure Camp as a Leader in Training. Additionally, she actively participated in community service as a member of NCL Star Katy.
The unexpected passing of Callie Mitchell serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection for heart conditions. By advocating for EKGs during regular physical examinations, Callie’s parents hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Callie’s vibrant spirit and passion for life will forever be cherished by those who knew her.
