Cool as a cucumber.
That's how
Keith Johnson's fifth-grade teacher at Cherokee Street School described the 10-year-old, whose actions on Friday potentially saved the life of one of his classmates.
"He's an incredible young man," said teacher Ryan Cavanagh.
Keith was eating lunch with his classmates when he noticed another student choking.
"His face was turning red," Keith said Monday, adding that the student made the universal sign for choking by putting both hands to his throat. Keith went behind the victim, put his fists under the student's rib cage and pushed up. After the boy's sandwich was dislodged, the victim, who the school is not naming for privacy reasons, told Keith he could stop. "He said he was OK," Keith said.
Then Keith took his seat and continued to eat his lunch.
His parents, who were at the Connetquot district school Monday to see their son receive a certificate of appreciation from principal Bridgette Wilson, said they weren't surprised by his heroic actions.
"He's a very calm kid," said his father, also Keith Johnson.
Keith's parents said he learned about the Heimlich maneuver by reading the signs posted in restaurants. "He's always reading," said his mother, Colleen Johnson. "He likes to know what's going on around him."
News traveled
fast in the neighborhood, she said.
"Friday was
Halloween, so all the neighbors made a fuss," she said.
Keith is the oldest of three children, and his mother said he is a model caring older brother. For a reward, his parents bought him a video game.
Wilson said that the lunch aide was on hand to take care of the situation, but that Keith was there first.
"We're very proud of him," Wilson said.
Keith has had a busy last few days. He's running for class president, and yesterday he gave his speech. Among his campaign promises are recycling bins in the school's classrooms, monthly movie nights and establishing a store to sell school supplies.
When his mother said he should put his heroic act of saving his schoolmate in his speech, he declined.
"Mom, that would be bragging," he said.
5th grader saves classmate
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