Sierra High senior and Valley Oak League soccer MVP Nicholas “Niko” Gonzalez was lauded Tuesday night for his quick-thinking and heroic act in the school’s cafeteria when he responded immediately when his friend Kevin Rivera choking on a chicken sandwich.

Gonzalez was recognized for his actions during the Manteca Unified School District board meeting.

Sierra Principal Steve Clark said Gonzalez – seeing his friend’s hands to his throat realized he was choking – got up from his chair and walked around behind Rivera, giving him upward thrusts in the lower abdomen that caused the chicken piece lodged in his throat to pop out of his mouth.

Clark said administrators ran to the cafeteria when they heard the emergency call over their school’s hand-held two-way radios, adding that Niko had done such a good job medics did not have to be called.

Gonzalez said he was exposed to a brief health and safety class when he was taking driver training in his freshman year.  It all just came back to him, he said.  Rivera said jokingly that he has put his friend on a 911 speed dial just in case he finds himself in another jam.

Niko’s mom Jamie Cameron was beaming from her seat as her son walked back in the audience and gave her a hug. She is an occupational therapist and said her son has been around medicine all throughout his youth.  Judge Agbiani said he has known Niko for some time and wanted to interject that he was really impressed with his demeanor and with his soccer talents.

The school principal offered to buy lunch for both boys and bring it to school for them this week. Their choice: Panda Express.



Scholl new MUSD board president

Don Scholl was appointed president in the reorganization of the Manteca Unified School District Board of Trustees Tuesday three new board members were officially seated.

Deborah Romero, trustee Area Five and Michael Seelye, trustee Area Three were formally sworn into office by Superior Court Judge Tony Agbiani in a short ceremony before a modest audience in the district board room on Louise Avenue.

Judge Agbiani charged the trustees to consider the facts carefully and make their decisions based on what is best for the children.

Sam Fant was given the oath of office for Area One by recently elected Stockton Mayor and Stockton Boys and Girls Club President Anthony Silva.

Scholl was elected to the presidency by other board members in the reorganization vote by a 4-3 vote replacing Evelyn Moore.  Moore was then elected vice president in a unanimous vote.  Seelye was named board clerk by the trustees.



Re/Max Executive helps homeless students

School Health Services Administrator Caroline Thibodeau was all smiles when she and Trustee Moore received a $2,100 donation from Re/Max Executive Real Estate representatives Brandon Joaquin and Erika Leandro Tuesday night as board members looked on.

The money is going toward helping provide school supplies, clothes, and personal hygiene items for homeless students.