Pre-Teen Earns the New York State Liberty Medal

Cynthia Marie Friday, May 10, 2013

A Long Island 12-year old received the New York State Liberty Medal for saving her father’s life. Victoria Scalli, a seventh grader from Merrick Avenue Middle School, learned the Heimlich maneuver in a gym class and used it to save her dad after he started choking.

Just a week after they had covered the Heimlich maneuver in class, Victoria heard her father choking. “I was in my room doing homework and I heard him gasping for air,” Victoria said. “He couldn’t breathe at all.”

Mark Scalli was choking on Italian bread. “I really didn’t think I was going to make it, that’s how bad it got. It happened so quick, I just couldn’t breathe,” he said. “She just knew what to do. My older daughter was crying and screaming and she just did it nice and calm. Whatever she learned that week really stuck.”

Victoria received one of the highest civilian honors that a New Yorker can receive. Senator Charles Fuschillo presented the award on Thursday and said, “Victoria Scalli’s quick thinking and heroic actions saved her father’s life. In a situation which would cause many people to panic, Victoria showed tremendous poise, relied on her training, and prevented a tragedy.”

Victoria said that it was one of the most important lessons she has ever learned. “If I didn’t learn that I really don’t know what would’ve happened. I thought he was going to die,” she said.

Fuschillio said that he is pushing legislation that will require school districts to teach the Heimlich maneuver.

 

cynthiam@longislandyellowpages.com

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