"What was going through my head was am I going to go this way?" Dennis Kenny, a junior at Cadillac High School, remembers following Friday, May 5, 2017.
An observant friend and fast-acting principal are now being called heroes.
Together, they saved a student from choking to death.
For Cadillac High School student Dennis Kenny, last Friday’s lunch was anything but routine.
When he started choking, a friend nearby jumped into action to get help.
9&10’s Cody Boyer sat down with Dennis and the two people who stepped up to save his life.
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"I started laughing. Then the choking started and then everything was going by in a flash for me."
Dennis Kenny, or "DK" to his friends, started lunch like any other kid in the lunchroom…with jokes.
Jokes turned into laughter.
Then, he started choking.
“What was going through my head was am I going to go this way?" Kenny says. “Am I going to live the days where I can actually live my life, go out and be a father to somebody? Be a husband to someone?"
But someone was nearby to help.
“The first time I looked, his face was just red and then the second time I looked, he looked like he had more of a serious face,” says Andrew Miller, CHS senior and Dennis’ friend.
Andrew ran to the office as Dennis stopped breathing.
“I ran in there, freaking out on the inside and, outside, I was nice and calm,” Miller says. “Got my heart racing because as soon as I saw him choke, everything just stopped."
“At that point, I had no idea what was going on,” says Shaina Squires, CHS Principal.
Principal Squires was in a meeting when she heard the shouts.
“This wasn’t just a pat on the back kind of choking but that he was not breathing,” Squires says. “I immediately started the Heimlich maneuver. Took about two thrusts and out came the food and Dennis started breathing. Then there was a big gasp."
The principal says Andrew’s actions are to thank…
And the word "hero" is being thrown around.
“In my mind, he’s the real hero because if he hadn’t have recognized what was going on with his friend and immediately leapt into action, as well, I would have never been able to have my part in this,” Squires says.
When asked if he considered himself a hero, Andrew’s response: “Nah. I’d say more like a good friend."
“I’m really glad that it happened at that time [when Andrews was close],” Kenny says. “Because if it didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. If he ever gets in that situation, I want him to know that I’ll be the first one there to help him."
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