A Hartford high school student is being hailed a hero after jumping into action to save the life of a man who had stopped breathing.
Jovany Roman, a 16-year-old junior at Weaver High School's Culinary Arts Academy, had only practiced CPR once in gym class. But when a panicked woman rushed into the Wendy's restaurant on Airport Road last Sunday, Roman didn't hesitate to help.
The woman called out for anyone who knew CPR, frantically explaining that a man had passed out in a car in the parking lot.
"I volunteered. I said, 'Yes, I do,' even though I'm not CPR certified," said Roman. "But one day of training, well, it was enough to save a life."
Roman ran outside to help the unconscious man. He began CPR, and after three or four minutes, the man – Michael – started breathing again.
"He woke up, but after he woke up, he was coughing, he was making noises, then he just went right back to sleep and he started breathing on his own again," Roman recalled.
Now school officials, and even the mayor, are commending Roman for his quick thinking.
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"Monday morning, after we found out, we announced it to the entire student body, and it was really cool to see all the students give him an ovation without even being asked," said Weaver High School principal Tim Goodwin. "It was just a really cool thing to know one of our students saved someone else's life."
Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said he met Roman on Friday to commend him for a job well done.
"Jovany sprang into action without giving it a second thought and because of that a man's life was saved," Segarra said in a statement Friday afternoon. "He made a quick decision that took courage and it says a lot about this young man's character. We are extremely proud and grateful for his bravery."
Although honored by the praise, Roman said anyone would have done the same in his situation.
"It means a lot to me, a lot of people are calling me a hero," Roman said. "I wouldn't recommend myself as a hero. I was just the person who was there at the right time doing the right thing."
