BEACON FALLS, Conn. -- An employee at a Beacon Falls school is being hailed a heroine after saving a student from choking in the cafeteria.

Lois Haag said she has seen countless children eating their lunches without incident as a monitor in the cafeteria at the Laurel Ledge School. She said that all changed Wednesday when 11-year-old Taran Myers began choking on a piece of stuffed pizza.

"She came up around me and started just doing the Heimlich maneuver," Taran said. "Then some of the cheese was starting to come up."

Haag said she was trained in the Heimlich maneuver several years ago, but never thought she would have to use it.

"He was kind of turning red, actually very struggling to get his food out, so it took about three to four times and then it finally came out," she said. 'It was very scary, but at the moment your adrenaline goes up so you do what you have to. The next day I couldn't wait to see him face-to-face."

Taran said Haag instructed him to chew his food better and to remember not to swallow until it's chewed well enough.

"She's awesome," he said.