SPRINGDALE, Ark. — In a curated statement, Harp Elementary Instructional Assistant Andrew Brownfield, and first-grader Holland Voss, recount the story of how an apple almost meant the difference between life and death.
Brownfield, a 24-year-old who helps run the kindergarten computer lab, was monitoring the cafeteria when he was approached by a frightened Holland, who signaled that she was having trouble breathing by putting her hands around her neck and coughing.
“I was trying to chew an apple,” Holland said. “Then I started choking when I accidentally swallowed it.”
Having just seen a video training on the Heimlich maneuver three days before, Brownfield hadn't even had time to get his certification yet — but that didn't stop him from springing into action.
“He pushed my tummy, and I coughed it up,” Holland said. “It was a really scary moment”
“I appreciate the opportunity to be recognized, but I am just glad that I could help,” Brownfield said after receiving an award from the school.
When asked about emergency response training, Brownfield advised that “If you have the opportunity to get it, you should take it ... If you're the only person there, and you have some idea of how you should act, it can save a life ... I was scared. I couldn't imagine how scared she was she was going through it."
Holland's parents, Caitlyn and Jason, are incredibly thankful for the school and Brownfield's initiative, stating that "we had never experienced any sort of choking, so it was definitely scary ... but we know she's safe here, and we're very thankful for that."
Harp Elementary School principal Molly Brock spoke for her community when she said “We are very fortunate to have enough staff members that are able to supervise and keep our students safe during lunch and on recess. His response to help a student in need is an act of service that will never be forgotten.”
Hollard said that when she grows up, she hopes to become a doctor and a teacher, as well as a fashion designer "because I think it would be really fun to do during the day."
Springdale Public Schools staff members interested in learning CPR are asked to contact Amy Schultz at aschultz@sdale.org.
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