Photo: Ponderosa Middle School seventh grader Lilly Jannicelli, left, and her friend Alison Cruz, who Jannicelli helped save after a choking incident during lunchtime.
A quick decision and a moment of courage made all the difference for Ponderosa Middle School seventh grader Lilly Jannicelli.
Jannicelli was recognized Thursday by the Klamath Falls Police Department with a certificate of achievement and a custom police badge after she stepped in to save her best friend, Alison Cruz, who was choking on her food during a recent lunch at school.
“I was sitting next to my best friend at lunch when she started choking on a burrito,” Jannicelli said. “I tried calling for a teacher, but nobody heard me, so I knew I had to act. I just thought, ‘We’re not losing my best friend today,’ and I got up and did the Heimlich Maneuver.”
In a moment where seconds mattered, Jannicelli relied on instinct and a small amount of prior knowledge to take action.
“My dad had shown me how to do the Heimlich, and I had learned it once in health class,” Jannicelli said. “It was just enough for me to remember and try my best.”
Jannicelli said the experience was frightening, but she stayed focused on helping her friend.
“It was really scary, and I think I did it wrong at first, but she’s alive and okay and that’s what matters most,” she said.
Cruz recalled just how serious the situation had become.
“I couldn’t breathe at all. I was really scared,” Cruz said. “Lilly got behind me and did the Heimlich, and that’s what saved me.”
Afterward, Cruz made sure her best friend knew just how much her actions meant.
“She told me, ‘This is why you’re my emergency contact … you saved my life,’” Jannicelli said.
The life-saving moment did not go unnoticed. Ponderosa staff reviewed the incident on video and coordinated a surprise recognition for Jannicelli. During the presentation, she was honored with her certificate signed by School Resource Officer Alex Davenport and Klamath Falls Police Chief Rob Detinger for her quick thinking and bravery.
Klamath County Fire District 1 firefighter Dean Limb presented Jannicelli with her certificate after calling her name from the student risers, where she was met with cheers from her peers just before first period. Limb added that her actions reflect the kind of qualities they look for when hiring firefighters and policemen.
“I didn’t know any of it was happening,” Jannicelli said. “I walked into the gym and saw my family there and thought, ‘Something’s up.’ It was really special to be recognized like that.”
While the recognition was meaningful, Jannicelli hopes the experience highlights something even more important, the value of being prepared.
“You don’t have very much time in a situation like that, and it’s not always obvious when someone is choking,” Jannicelli said. “You have to pay attention and act in the moment.”
She also encourages other students to learn basic life-saving skills.
“I think more students should learn things like the Heimlich,” Jannicelli said. “You might not think you’ll ever need it, but moments like this show how important it is.”
Photo: Ponderosa Middle School seventh grader Lilly Jannicelli, right, and Klamath County Fire District 1 firefighter Dean Limb after Limb presented Jannicelli with a Certificate of Achievement at Ponderosa Thursday, April 23.
