Board of Education chair Jonathan Jones and school superintendent Natalie Gore with Beyond the T Award recipient April Story as she receives the award praising her efforts in helping a student of Matt Wilson Elementary. 

TIFTON — The Tift County Board of Education recently honored an educator who helped save a student from choking.

During the board’s Sept. 12 meeting, board members presented April Story, paraprofessional at Matt Wilson Elementary, with a Beyond the T Award for her decisiveness in helping a choking student in the school’s cafeteria.

Dana Spurlin, TCS chief information officer, explained that on April 15 Story had spotted the student in distress and jumped into action, delivering the Heimlich maneuver to save them.

She praised Story’s quick thinking and responsiveness, and, along with the board members, was proud to present the paraprofessional with her Beyond the T Award.