On Thursday, while completing withdrawal forms, a former LHS student began choking in the office. Assistant principal, Macie Thompson, noticed and immediately helped the student by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

“Her face turned red, her eyes turned red and she was gasping for air,” Thompson said. “I am thankful that I knew how to [perform] the Heimlich.”

The student choked on a peppermint that was lodged in her throat. While Thompson performed the maneuver, Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) director, Sheri Wood, ran to get assistance from the nurse.

“I was terrified and shocked,” Wood said. “My heart was racing like crazy, but I was so impressed by how cool and collected Mrs. Thompson was.”

The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid procedure that dislodges objects from the windpipe. It requires a strong pressure to be applied on the abdomen, between the navel and the rib cage. Thompson was taught the Heimlich in fifth grade, and her quick-thinking helped the student to dislodge the candy safely.

“It was a little bit of adrenaline,” Thompson said. “I was just happy that there were people in the office at that time.”