Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
In a heart-stopping moment at Suwannee Middle School (SMS) on Thursday, Aug. 24, a quick-thinking paraprofessional leaped into action to save a young student from choking on a piece of food in the cafeteria. The heroic act unfolded during lunchtime, when a substitute noticed one of her students was choking. Her distress caught the attention of Kendall Croft, who immediately leapt into action. “She just said, 'He's choking! He's choking!' So instead of standing there, I jumped in and started to perform the Heimlich,” Croft said. “It wasn't really working at first; I couldn't get under his sternum that well.” Croft said he ended up picking the child up to gain access to his abdomen, where he performed roughly two abdominal thrusts. “All of a sudden, I could just hear him pretty much just yell, and I knew that his airway wasn't blocked anymore,” Croft recalled. He went on to state how that was “probably the best sound” he's ever heard. During the Tuesday, Sept. 29, regular Suwannee County School Board meeting, Superintendent Ted Roush and the school board recognized Croft for his lifesaving actions by presenting him with a “Hero Award.” In addition, SMS Principal Laura Williams presented Croft with the “SMS Super Hero Life-Saving Award” for his “quick thinking and immediate actions which directly resulted in saving a life.” Inscribed on the plaque are sentiments echoed by both Williams and Roush: “Your dedication to these students is an inspiration to all and we are proud to have you as a Paraprofessional at SMS.” The next regular Suwannee County School Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Branford High School, located at 405 N Reynolds St., in Branford.