Quick thinking and a lifelong bond turn a terrifying moment into a story of gratitude and grace
It happened in a flash at Goddard High School in Roswell, New Mexico, as teacher Lydia Vegara was enjoying a quiet breakfast burrito alone on campus. What should have been an ordinary morning suddenly turned dangerous when a bite went down the wrong way.
“I took a bite and it kind of just went the wrong way and went down my throat. It got stuck in there, and I couldn’t get it out,” said Vegara.
School surveillance video later showed Vegara remaining remarkably calm as she made her way through the school, searching for help. She arrived at the office of school social worker Brent Clay, who at the time had no idea the emergency unfolding just outside his door.
“I was in a Zoom meeting with some team members, and my doorbell was ringing, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring. I opened it u,p and she was standing there too,” said Clay.
Once he realized Vegara was choking, Clay immediately acted, performing the Heimlich maneuver—something he had never done before.
“During that process, I wanted to be very careful, and I wasn’t sure I was applying enough force, and nothing was happening. So, pretty much on the last one, I said, oh, well. So I gave her a good tug, and that’s when it popped out.”
The relief was overwhelming for both of them.
“And of course, I gave her this big, long hug because I couldn’t think of her not being around,” said Clay.
Their connection runs deep. Clay and Vegara have known each other for decades, dating back to when he was just eight years old and she was his elementary school teacher. They were even neighbors.
“So I’ve known her the bulk of my life. So we weren’t ready for her to go yet,” said Clay.
While Vegara remained composed during the incident, the fear hit afterward.
“It was scary to me afterwards. That is when I panicked because I started thinking about everything that could happen or could have happened,” said Vegara.
Grateful and emotional, Vegara says she thanks Clay every chance she gets.
Vegara: “Just that I thank him every time I see him.”
Clay: “She does.”
Vegara: “Every minute.”
Clay: “What do you call me in Spanish?”
Vegara: “Mi San Martin de Porras.”
Clay: “Her angel.”
Vegara: “Yeah.”
Thankfully, Vegara has no lingering health issues and says she’s just being more cautious now—opting for soups this week as she recovers from the scare.
Moments like these remind us that heroes don’t always wear uniforms or capes—sometimes they’re colleagues, friends, or former students sitting behind an office door. This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of basic lifesaving skills and the unbreakable bonds formed within school communities. One quick action, one familiar face, and one deep connection made all the difference.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/vbV6Fk_1qvU?si=zNQDTq3VKpNOWjN5
- https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/goddard-high-school-staff-member-saves-choking-teachers-life/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://aistudio.google.com/
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