3 Heroes Honored For Saving Choking Students, Staff At Bridgewater-Raritan Schools

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Three staff members were honored for saving the lives of two students and a faculty member that were choking in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

Giuliana Orsillo, Gizele Felice-Carter, and Roger Dalton each were honored with the Board of Education(BOE)'s Humanitarian Award for their life-saving performances during the May 23 BOE meeting.

"We had people who were in distress and these folks who are honored tonight jumped up took action and really made a difference in a fellow faculty member and also the lives of two young people," said Superintendent Robert Beers at the meeting.

"They collectively represent the caring and selfless attitude that lends itself to a positive school environment," said Beers.

On February 15, Orsillo, who is Head Cafeteria/Playground Assistant at the Hamilton Primary School, saved a student who was choking on food with her quick actions and the Heimlich Maneuver.

On March 6, Felice-Carter, who teaches students in Kindergarten and Grade 1, saved a fellow staff member at the Bradley Gardens Primary School while they were eating lunch together. Felice-Carter also used the Heimlich Maneuver.

In late April, Dalton, the Head Custodian at the Van Holten Primary School, came to the rescue of a student choking on food. He sprang into action and used the Heimlich Maneuver.

Dalton had previously saved another student during a similar incident in 2018.

Beers also commended the nurses who put the staff through Heimlich Maneuver training every year.

"Due to the actions of these three folks, we really avoided a potentially bad outcome," said Beers.

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