Atkins student?s H1N1 story gains national attention
Story date: Oct. 13, 2009
?60 Minutes? cameraman visits area for Sunday?s broadcast
By Cindi Nobles
education@couriernews.com
ATKINS ? Ray Bribiesca, a photo-journalist for ?60 Minutes? on CBS, has seen wars in the Middle East, met national leaders and filmed human interest stories throughout the world, but growing up in midwestern Kansas, Bribiesca felt a kinship with the people of Arkansas. When he was assigned to cover the local flu outbreak, he jumped at the opportunity to share his experiences with Atkins students while also covering a local story.
Bribiesca spoke with three Atkins social studies classes Monday about what he has experienced as a photographer for a national news outfit during the last 30 years and about the events that brought him to the small community.
Bribiesca?s journey to the Arkansas River Valley began after Luke Duvall, a 15-year old sophomore football player and honor student at Atkins High School, became ill with flu-like symptoms that resembled the H1N1 virus more than a week ago. He was airlifted to Arkansas Children?s Hospital in Little Rock due to complications stemming from the virus, and was listed in critical care. When the ?60 Minutes? team heard of his case, they immediately headed to the Russellville area.
?We captured him being airlifted from Russellville to Little Rock, and we?ve followed all his procedures to where he is now, which is about 60 to 70 percent well,? Bribiesca said. ?Over the next two days, they will take out the breathing tube, and then he will be on his road to recovery.?
Atkins High School principal Adam Robison said after all the ?outlandish and ridiculous rumors? he has heard about Duvall and his illness, he didn?t believe it when he was told ?60 Minutes? was coming to Atkins.
?The rumor mill has been going crazy about Luke,? Robison said. ?It is a bit surreal. CBS is here in little Atkins, but I think it might clear up some misconceptions that are out there.?
Robison and superintendent Boyce Watkins have received regular updates about Luke?s progress from the Duvall family, who requested all media communication be directed to them. Chad Duvall, Luke?s father, was unavailable for comment Monday.
?Luke?s story is a good story. It deals with someone who was a strong, healthy football player who is kind of the all-American kid that was never sick a day in his life, and then one day didn?t feel well, was tested, came up positive for H1N1, and was taken to Arkansas Children?s Hospital,? Bribiesca said. ?That is the story we are doing on him. He got it, he got over it, and there is a happy ending is what our story is telling.?
Watkins said flu cases in the district have remained steady for the last month. Vaccinations aren?t available at the school yet, and the largest population of absentees with flu-like symptoms is at the high school.
Bribiesca said ?60 Minutes? producers stumbled across Luke?s story after deciding to air a piece featuring swine flu victims.
?We had been in the state of Arkansas for a week looking,? Bribiesca said. ?We weren?t exactly looking for a character, but we happened to stumble onto Luke. You know, football, baseball player, good-looking kid that comes from a farming community and is related to half the folks around here. Definitely a good subject to follow with a good outcome.?
?60 Minutes? correspondent Scott Pelley will provide commentary for the the piece, which will air at 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
Story date: Oct. 13, 2009
?60 Minutes? cameraman visits area for Sunday?s broadcast
By Cindi Nobles
education@couriernews.com
ATKINS ? Ray Bribiesca, a photo-journalist for ?60 Minutes? on CBS, has seen wars in the Middle East, met national leaders and filmed human interest stories throughout the world, but growing up in midwestern Kansas, Bribiesca felt a kinship with the people of Arkansas. When he was assigned to cover the local flu outbreak, he jumped at the opportunity to share his experiences with Atkins students while also covering a local story.
Bribiesca spoke with three Atkins social studies classes Monday about what he has experienced as a photographer for a national news outfit during the last 30 years and about the events that brought him to the small community.
Bribiesca?s journey to the Arkansas River Valley began after Luke Duvall, a 15-year old sophomore football player and honor student at Atkins High School, became ill with flu-like symptoms that resembled the H1N1 virus more than a week ago. He was airlifted to Arkansas Children?s Hospital in Little Rock due to complications stemming from the virus, and was listed in critical care. When the ?60 Minutes? team heard of his case, they immediately headed to the Russellville area.
?We captured him being airlifted from Russellville to Little Rock, and we?ve followed all his procedures to where he is now, which is about 60 to 70 percent well,? Bribiesca said. ?Over the next two days, they will take out the breathing tube, and then he will be on his road to recovery.?
Atkins High School principal Adam Robison said after all the ?outlandish and ridiculous rumors? he has heard about Duvall and his illness, he didn?t believe it when he was told ?60 Minutes? was coming to Atkins.
?The rumor mill has been going crazy about Luke,? Robison said. ?It is a bit surreal. CBS is here in little Atkins, but I think it might clear up some misconceptions that are out there.?
Robison and superintendent Boyce Watkins have received regular updates about Luke?s progress from the Duvall family, who requested all media communication be directed to them. Chad Duvall, Luke?s father, was unavailable for comment Monday.
?Luke?s story is a good story. It deals with someone who was a strong, healthy football player who is kind of the all-American kid that was never sick a day in his life, and then one day didn?t feel well, was tested, came up positive for H1N1, and was taken to Arkansas Children?s Hospital,? Bribiesca said. ?That is the story we are doing on him. He got it, he got over it, and there is a happy ending is what our story is telling.?
Watkins said flu cases in the district have remained steady for the last month. Vaccinations aren?t available at the school yet, and the largest population of absentees with flu-like symptoms is at the high school.
Bribiesca said ?60 Minutes? producers stumbled across Luke?s story after deciding to air a piece featuring swine flu victims.
?We had been in the state of Arkansas for a week looking,? Bribiesca said. ?We weren?t exactly looking for a character, but we happened to stumble onto Luke. You know, football, baseball player, good-looking kid that comes from a farming community and is related to half the folks around here. Definitely a good subject to follow with a good outcome.?
?60 Minutes? correspondent Scott Pelley will provide commentary for the the piece, which will air at 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
