MILWAUKEE — A student at a Racine elementary school is being praised for her heroic actions.
Essie Collier is a fourth grader at Racine’s Fratt Elementary School. Early last month, at lunchtime, things took a sudden turn. She noticed one of her classmates was choking on food.
“I was really scared,” said Collier.
But the fear Collier felt in the moment didn’t stop her from acting fast.
A video Collier saw on YouTube when she was just seven years old on how to help someone who was choking immediately rushed to her memory.
She said she wrapped her arms around the student and successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver.
The school’s nurse, Leslie Groth, said a student flagged her down to come help in the classroom during the incident. By the time Groth arrived, the problem had already been solved.
“When I had a moment to just think about what she had done, it was an incredibly proud moment,” said Groth. “She is a true hero.”
Collier said she wants others to take the time to learn how to help in emergency situations.
“I want people to learn this, so if anyone else is choking, they can help them,” said Collier.
Although she said she’s happy she could help her classmate, she’s thankful that the scary moment is now just a memory.
“I’m happy that it’s over,” she said. “I hope I don’t have to do it again.”
The Racine Unified School Board honored Collier at a board meeting last month for her heroics.