Second Plainfield Student Saved from Choking

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

Photo: Timber Ridge Middle School Principal Dean Kariotakis (from left) poses with sixth-grader Gevon Wesley and Kim Ellis, physical education and health teacher who used the Heimlich maneuver on Wesley when he was choking. This is the second life-saving act performed by the school’s staff in less than two weeks.

For the second time in less than two weeks, a Timber Ridge Middle School staff member saved a student using the Heimlich maneuver.

Sixth-grade student Gevon Wesley was eating lunch in the main office Tuesday, Oct. when he began to choke on his chicken sandwich.

A staff member called Physical Education and Health teacher Kim Ellis who was in the office.

“He stood up and was coughing really loudly,” Ellis said. “Then I saw his hands go to his neck.”

Ellis, who’s been with District 202 for about 21 years, said she used the Heimlich a few times on Gevon to dislodge the food.

Gevon said he was scared but after a visit to the nurse and a call to his mom, he headed to science class.

Gevon’s mom Antonia Guajardo is grateful and thankful her son is OK.

“I’m very happy (the staff) was able to respond so quickly,” she said.

On Sept. 28, Kathy Rajcevich, a special education teacher’s aide, used the Heimlich maneuver on sixth-grader Hannah O’Brien during lunch when she was choking.

Neither Ellis nor Rajcevich have used the Heimlich in school but have used it outside of school.

Timber Ridge Principal Dean Kariotakis said he was “blessed” to have such calm and caring staff in his school.

All Timber Ridge physical education and health teachers are CPR certified, Ellis said.

“That training gives us the confidence to step in and perform,” Ellis said.