Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

3/27/07

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn High School Senior Saves Her Mother's Life

Jessica Schunzel, a senior at Auburn High School and a student in the sports medicine program, truly experienced a “learn by doing” moment last weekend.

Jessica and her family were celebrating her eighteenth birthday during a Sunday afternoon barbecue when Jessica’s mother, Tammy Lee Schunzel—a health tech in the Auburn School District—began choking on her food. According to Tammy, no one except Jessica noticed her choking. Jessica jumped out of her chair and immediately performed the Heimlich Maneuver, not stopping until the piece of meat dislodged from Tammy.

Jessica continued to incorporate her training of this lifesaving maneuver, telling her mother to breathe calmly, waiting for her to be able to speak again. Tammy explains that Jessica handled the situation in stride; the other members of the dinner party did not even realize what was happening.

According to Jessica’s sports medicine instructor, Krista Parsons, Jessica and her classmates are trained to be able to handle crisis and emergency situations calmly and professionally.

Tammy is thankful for her daughter’s education in these lifesaving skills. “My daughter saved my life,” says Tammy. “Not only am I proud of her, but I know if the situation calls for it, she’ll step in, not afraid to apply what she has learned.”

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.