Journalism Students, Teachers Inspired by Joe Strobel
Last month, Pine-Richland High School Custodian Mr. Joe Strobel was recognized for his heroic actions at a local restaurant when he successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking diner.
As part of his recognition, Mr. Strobel was interviewed by Mrs. Leticia Harshman's journalism class. During their interview, the class took turns asking thoughtful questions such as "What was going through your mind in that moment? and "Did you ever think you would need to use the Heimlich maneuver?"
Following the interview, Mrs. Harshman and her students were inspired to learn more about first-aid training. Ms. Ellisyn Mularski, physical education and health teacher, volunteered to lead a first aid training session that included CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.
Each student in the class wrote an article and then voted to choose Ava Barson's to appear in the October 3 issue of Rampage. Read Ava's story below and see the full issue of this week's Rampage here.
More Than A Hero
Read About Janitor Joe Strobel
Ava Barson, Staff Writer for the Rampage
It was an average day at the Scoreboard Restaurant and Lounge. The Steelers were playing so people flooded inside to watch. There were meals provided, buffets, and snacks as well for the customers. Amongst those customers was Joe Strobel, a Pine-Richland Janitor. Strobel was doing what he loved, watching football. He used to watch football with his grandfather so this was important to Strobel.
All was going well when all of a sudden screams broke out and fear flooded Strobel’s table. To his side was a man choking on some food. The three women with that man were bursting with screams and yelling, “He can’t breathe!” Strobel did what he knew he had to do. He saved that man's life.
“No reaction, I had half a second. I knew in my mind that I had to do the Heimlich. I had to save him,” Strobel described. There were no thoughts going through his head but the fact that this man needed help and he was going to be the one to save him. In the end, the man was okay and it took him a little bit of time to realize what had just happened. He later thanked Strobel saying, “You saved my life. I can go back to my family tonight.” This made Strobel high amounts of gratitude that he was there for this man and gave him the chance to go back home to see his family.
These types of situations are rare as no civilians expect to be going along with their day and then having to rescue a life. Strobel thanks Pine-Richland for offering a CPR class to all employees.
“I commend the school district on the classes they provide. Without this class I would be like the three ladies,” Strobel stated.
Now Strobel may be known for saving that man but there is more to him than being a hero. Strobel looks up to his mother. She was a nurse for 28 years so she specialized in helping others. His happy place is Yellow Creek because that’s where his mother’s ashes were laid. Part of her motto is why he wanted to help that poor man.
“Try to help somebody out. Always help somebody out because in life you're going to need help one day,” Strobel stated. Although his name is in the paper and all over the media, Strobel does not focus on his fame. He has not even read any of his papers about him. He was actually more nervous to be interviewed rather than to perform the Heimlich.
In addition, Strobel has a program called Mission Hunting for Cancer. In this event, Strobel hunts and pays a butcher to prepare the meat to be given to veterans and cancer patients.
On the outside, we may see Strobel as being our janitor but there is way more to him than meets the eye. He helps others in his free time and lives by the motto of caring for others. So if there is one thing you can take away from this article, it is to be there for each other and sign up for that CPR class.
See Ava's story and more in this week's issue of the Rampage.