A professional act

To the editor: When you need a bright spot in your life let me share a great positive story. In this time when the winter seems it will never end, a driver of Warwick Valley Schools has brought a ray of sunshine to the department. On March 21, while driving her afternoon Middle School route, Diane Perrelli Megale was having her normal problems when she noticed a young male student’s face turning colors. At first she wasn’t sure of the problem but had sense enough to ask, “Are you choking?” The boy, unable to talk, nodded yes. Diane secured her bus, got out of her seat and proceeded to administer the Heimlich maneuver - once, twice and still no response. Getting ready to dial 911 ,she hit it one more time - on her third try “pop” and out comes a hard candy. All of the training and hard work of being a bus driver paid off. She saved this young man’s life. Her pay that day was earned, but the greatest reward Diane received was the “thank you” note from the boy’s parent she received the next day. My sincere thanks, Diane, for being part of my team and for protecting the students of Warwick. You are a true professional. Robert Zeller Director of Transportation Warwick Valley School District