By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — We all forget some of the things we were taught in school, but one lesson that Hillary Albert learned as a Presque Isle High School freshman helped save a woman’s life.
Last July while working at Rosella’s, Albert used the Heimlich maneuver on a customer who was choking on her food.
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| Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson The 15th annual Real Heroes Breakfast was held April 5 and a number of county residents were recognized for their courage, kindness and unselfish character. Pictured are, from left, front row: Holden Bernier with his dog, Ruger, Olivia Tardie, Hillary Albert and Christopher Daigle. Back row: Taylor Willey, Kent Smith, Jack Reed, Richard Wark, Matt McPherson, Jeff Leighton, Stephanie Beaulieu and Fred Parsons. Proceeds from the Real Heroes Breakfast, which was attended by nearly 220 people, will benefit the local Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. See story on page two. |
“I heard a loud gasp and at first my co-workers and I thought she was sneezing, but then we second-guessed ourselves,” said Albert, 19. “I said, ‘We should go check on that,’ and then I realized she was choking.
“The woman was in shock and was panicking. She was an older woman and I didn’t want to break her ribs, so I felt to make sure I would hit the area correctly and after one thrust, the food came out,” she said. “My Dad has a problem with acid and his throat closes up, so I had some experience with someone turning blue and the need to remain calm. I took health my freshman year of high school and there’s a first aid component to it, as well. I had hoped I would never have needed to use that training, but it turns out I did.”
Currently a student at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Albert’s selfless act of courage has earned her the title of “Real Hero.”
The 15th annual Real Heroes Breakfast was held April 5 at Northern Maine Community College. Hosted by the American Red Cross—Pine Tree Chapter, WAGM-TV 8/FOX 8, Cary Medical Center, The Aroostook Medical Center and NMCC, the concept for the Real Heroes Breakfast has grown out of a desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the American Red Cross — teaching people how to save lives.
“The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies,” said Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross—Pine Tree Chapter. “This is done through the simple, yet powerful process of one person putting his/her needs aside to help another. Across the nation, over one million Red Cross volunteers do this each day.
“What better way to celebrate this spirit of humanitarianism than by honoring those individuals who have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character by their act of heroism in Aroostook County,” she said.
Albert said she’s glad she learned basic first aid, especially since none of her co-workers knew how to use the Heimlich maneuver.
“First aid is something everyone should know because you never know when you’ll need it,” she said. “It’s humbling to be thought of as a hero, but I think I was just in the right spot at the right time. I just hope somebody else would do the same thing for me.”
Others recognized as 2013 Real Heroes were:
• Eleven-year-old Olivia Tardie of Ashland helped prevent her grandparents’ home from being destroyed by fire one Saturday last August.
• Stephanie Beaulieu, Matt McPherson and Jeff Leighton of Fort Fairfield, and Fred Parsons of Presque Isle.
• Taylor Willey of Presque Isle, Kent Smith of Blaine, Jack Reed of Wade, and Richard Wark of Mapleton.
• Christopher Daigle of Fort Kent.
• “Ruger” Bernier of Fort Kent.
Extra Mile Awards were presented to Spud Speedway in Caribou, The Crow’s Next in Presque Isle, and Jason Parent of Caribou for ensuring the mission of the Red Cross is met.
Receiving Bridge Builder awards were NMCC and WAGM.
For the 12th time, Rene Cloukey, sports director at WAGM-TV, was the master of ceremonies.
Proceeds from the Real Heroes Breakfast, which was attended by nearly 220 people, will benefit the local Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
