South Huntington Schools Honor Hero

The South Huntington School Board honored paraprofessional Domenica Zaharious for saving the life of a student who was choking.

Calling her a proven and reliable asset to the school, the South Huntington School Board recognized Zaharious at a meeting Wednesday at Maplewood Intermediate School for quickly exercising good judgement and saving the life of the student.

"She truly is a hero," said Stimson Principal Faye Robins. "Zaharious' quick thinking is a clear demonstration of the care that Domenica provides on a daily basis to our students."

When seventh-grader Joet Cooper was finishing up her lunch and laughing with her friends, a chip suddenly became lodged in her throat. School officials said the student then panicked, attempted to drink some water and began to lose consciousness. 

Robins said a substitute teacher had difficulty helping Cooper, so Zaharious was summoned and then performed the Heimlich maneuver saving the student's life. 

Ironically, when Zaharious was 10, her mom saved her life by performing the Heimlich maneuver.