Editorial: Local hero ... Estero High student shows education can be lifesaver

It must have been some debriefing session.

Estero High School senior Jennifer Novelo had a harrowing yet heroic story to tell when she and the 19 other seniors in her medical academy classes got together to share experiences shadowing doctors and nurses at nursing homes and hospitals.

Novelo was thrust into the role of lifesaver. She was at home asleep when her little sister barged in, handing her a neighbor’s 21-day-old infant who had stopped breathing. It turns out the baby had choked on breast milk. Novelo got the baby breathing again via cardiopulmonary resuscitation and patting the baby’s back.

Professional ambulance teams from Bonita Springs credited Novelo for saving the baby’s life, and even stopped by school to congratulate her.

There are priceless quotes in our news story about Novelo and the baby.

One local pro explained how rescuers confront adversity: “Your training just kicks in. ... If Jennifer had not been there, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Novelo describes the challenge, “It was the longest five to 10 minutes of my life,” and the teacher who made her practice, practice, practice CPR on a mannequin in class: “She made me go back like three times.”

Novelo wants to move on to become an Army medic. Our country will be well-served. She already is a heroine in our book.