Jesse DeLaunay, OCHS Senior
Fox 12
Surprise Squad honors Oregon city teen who suffered medical emergency
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, KPTV’s Surprise Squad visited Oregon City High School's prom to deliver an unforgettable surprise to one of our very own.
The FOX 12 Surprise Squad recently celebrated the remarkable recovery and resilience of Jesse DeLaunay, a senior at Oregon City High School, who suffered a life-threatening medical emergency in March. Jesse, a student at Oregon City High School and OCHS Unified Sports athlete, continues to inspire his classmates, teachers, and community with his strength and positivity.
As part of the heartfelt surprise, the Surprise Squad gifted Jesse and his family a trip to Disneyland and awarded Oregon City High School a $5,000 donation, which will go towards supporting the Unified Sports Program. They also presented Oregon City High School with the first ever, Cup of Kindness Award. But the celebration didn’t stop there.
Jesse’s brother, Skylar DeLaunay, was also honored for his courageous and quick-thinking actions that helped save Jesse’s life. When Skylar noticed Jesse was struggling to breathe, he immediately alerted their parents, who began CPR until emergency responders arrived. Thanks to Skylar’s bravery and calm under pressure, Jesse received the care he needed in time. For his heroic efforts, Clackamas Fire District presented Skylar with the Citizen Life Saving Award and a commemorative challenge coin.
We are honored to have students in our district who show love and support for one another, and work hard to ensure all feel included. Your kindness reflects the very best of who we are as an inclusive school community. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to FOX 12, Les Schwab, and the Surprise Squad team for their generosity and for shining a light on the strength, compassion, and courage found right here in Oregon City.
Jesse’s Story….
It all began on March 7, Jesse was found by his brother and they immediately took him by ambulance to the hospital. This was the start of all the students and staff praying for Jesse’s recovery. Jesse had suffered a cardiac event.
T-shirts and hats were created so they can walk around the community in support of Jesse. All as we await Jesse to wake up from the coma and be ok.
Outside of Jesseś classroom a bulletin was created so students and staff could write messages of encouragement for Jesse and his family. The messages meant a lot for the students in Jesseś class and the staff who directly worked with him on a daily basis. One girl in his classroom said ¨Jesse is my friend.”They were having a tough time not having his smile and positive attittude be in his class daily. That bulletin board got so full that and overflowing with notes that another section was added below the main bulletin board.
There was a card station set up in the library where students could create get well wishes to Jesse. These cards were taken to the hospital daily. The cards in his hospital room paint a vivid picture of a community rallying around him. It's powerful to know he has so many people in his corner, sending him strength and encouragement. Jesse and his classmates wanted Jesse and his family know to stay STRONG and fight through this. Each one wanted to give him their personal strength to accomplish this.
We missed his smile and was excited for him to return to school with his positive attitude and happiness. Jesse’s positive mindset was so contagious and his smile and attitude were a real lift for everyone at OCHS. It speaks volumes about the kind of person he is that his classmates are missing those qualities so much and were eager for his return.
Every day we would look for news about Jesse’s recovery. From March 18 to April 4, Jesse continued to get stronger and better.
When we learned Jesse was able to return to school our OC Police Security Resource Officer Plummer went to his home and gave him the official ride to school with lights and sirens. Sutdents waited at the front door to welcome Jesse back to school. Hooray, Jesse was back at OCHS! Everyone is thrilled to have Jesse back in school. To see his smiling face and uplifting comments everywhere he went.
Moments like these remind us of the strength, kindness, and resilience that is present at Oregon City High School. We are so proud of the Class of 2025, and our entire Pioneer family for embodying what it means to lead with heart.
At the end of April, Jesse was nominated and voted to be on the Prom Royalty Court!
Jesse is so well known around campus that he was nominated and selected to bo be on the Prom Royalty Court!
On April 29 Clackamas Fire District #1 crew from Station 15 presented Skylar Delaunay, Jesse’s brother, with the Citizen Life Saving Award and a Challenge Coin in recognition of his heroirc actions that helped save his brother’s life.
Jesse enjoys being involved in OCHS electives like choir and student council, as well as extracurricular activities such as managing the varsity soccer team and unified sports.
Unified Sports combines athletes from Special Education and partners with athletes from general education.
Jesse is in Student Council.
Tiffani Traver, Student Council teacher, commented that “It has been a pleasure having Jesse and his close friend Levi as members of the Student Council this year. They have been integral contributors to our Community Service Committee and played a key role in organizing our monthly Buddy Days in collaboration with their SLC classes. Jesse consistently brings a bright, positive energy to the classroom and is a warm, welcoming presence for many of our students.”
Jesse is in the Choir class.
Always a smile on his face!
As part of the heartfelt surprise, the Surprise Squad gifted Jesse and his family a trip to Disneyland and awarded Oregon City High School a $5,000 donation which will go towards supporting the Unified Sports Program.
