Hawkeye News Articles!

What started as a normal Friday at Blue Star Elementary turned into a scary one for a Hamilton staff member.

Custodian Sam Jeluso was in the middle of her busy day — eating a quick bite, juggling tasks, and checking things off her list — when something went wrong.

“I was eating, chewing, coughed, running around and getting things done, and it went down the wrong tube somehow,” Sam said. “Suddenly I couldn’t breathe. I ran into the library really fast, and Josh ran right over.”

Josh Rondeau, Project Superintendent with OAK Construction, has been overseeing bond project work all summer at Blue Star.

“We were in the library talking about how to move some furniture when I noticed Sam struggling,” Josh said. “I walked over and asked if she wanted me to do the Heimlich maneuver. She nodded yes. It didn’t clear completely, so I did it again — and then she could breathe. We’re trained every year for safety and CPR. I’m just glad it worked,” he added with a chuckle.

Sam remembers the moment clearly.

“He knew exactly what to do and put his hands right where they needed to be,” she said. “When I could finally breathe again, I fell to the floor, smiled while coughing, and gave the thumbs up.”

The experience left her with a new goal: to learn the Heimlich maneuver and CPR herself.

“That’s why it’s important to know how to do it — I’m going to learn it now,” she said. “Thankfully, everyone was alright. I’m really grateful to Josh for that. If I ever win the lottery, I’m going to send some money his way for keeping me alive,” she joked.