Cherokee 3rd grader saves classmate from choking

A student and lunch monitor at Sixes Elementary School in Cherokee were honored as heroes for saving the life of a student who was choking.

Bailey Johnson, a third-grader, saw her classmate Gia DiCarlo choking last week on a bite of turkey at lunch. The students were feasting on a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and dressing.

Johnson quickly alerted lunch monitor Gloria Szopinski. Szopinski performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food that was choking Gia.

“The life of a sweet little girl was saved at lunch by the actions of a classmate and a lunch monitor who were observant and skilled,” Principal Cindy Crews said in a statement.

The two were honored with the school’s “You Make the Difference” star awards and Gia gave both a thank-you gift.

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