Quick acting cafeteria monitor saves Liberty Middle Schooler

The cool-headed, quick response of a cafeteria monitor helped save the life of a Liberty Middle School student.

When Hazel Akerley saw that the girl was in distress, she sprang to action and performed the Heimlich maneuver on the choking student, and within seconds, dislodged a piece of chicken from the student’s airway.

This isn’t the first time that Akerley has saved a student from choking – she was recognized by NYSUT (New York State United Teachers) and named to the NYSUT Life Line Honor Roll for coming to the aid of a student in 2008.

Affectionately known as “Grandma” to students, Mrs. Akerley has been a cafeteria monitor at Liberty for 18 years. When asked about the incident, she explains that she was just doing her job. “I’m just glad that I know how to do it and that I can do it (the Heimlich maneuver),” says Akerley. “It’s all in a day’s work.”

Liberty LAMA President Sue Huggler is quick to point out that “Hazel deserves so much credit. She has such a wonderful rapport with the students that goes well beyond just doing her job. We are very lucky that she is a part of our community here at Liberty. Hazel is our gift that just keeps on giving!”