Not all heroes wear capes!
9-year-old Jayceon Branch is a student at Raleigh Oak Charter Elementary School in North Carolina. Recently, Jayceon sprung into action on the basketball court, saving a classmate’s life and is being praised for his quick action, NBC News reports.
Surveillance video captures the moment Jayceon and his 7-year-old friend Donye Moore were on the basketball court. After eating a granola bar, Donye appears to slouch over, the snack getting stuck in his throat. That’s when Jayceon quickly stepped in and began performing the Heimlich maneuver on Donye, Jayceon’s quick thinking literally saving Donye from choking.
“I learned it from watching YouTube,” the young hero told reporters. “Because a teacher saw a student choking and the student came to the teacher and started doing this, and then the teacher started doing what I did to Donye,” Jayceon explained.
Raleigh Oak Charter School executie director, Eric Johnson, said he is extremely proud of Jayceon and just happy he was there to prevent things from escalating with Donye.
“He was a hero; he just saved a kid’s life…He sprung into action and did his thing. We really try to teach that at our school…We’re really proud of him.”
Watching the video replay was also moving for Donye’s mother Aja Moore.
“At first, I wasn’t understanding that he had to be given the Heimlich maneuver or anything like that. It was surprising. I’m just thankful his friend was able to demonstrate that on him,” said Moore.
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The entire school gathered to celebrate Jayceon, holding a clapout to honor his heroic efforts. But in true superhero fashion, Jayceon wouldn’t celebrate without Donye, the duo walking the halls together as parents, teachers, and students gathered to cheer for them both.
The kids are alright!
Cover photo: 9-Year-Old North Carolina Boy Praised as Hero After Saving 7-Year-Old Classmate From Choking/Photo credit: WRAL News