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The Demopolis City Council and the Demopolis Police Department recognized Demopolis High School (DHS) senior Andrea Piedra during the council’s Dec. 7 meeting, presenting her with a proclamation from the city and a Life Saving Medal from the police department.

“Without any hesitation whatsoever, this young lady and her mother not only saw someone in a panic on the side of the road, but they turned around and came back. There was no thought of whether this was something sinister or anything scary,” said Mayor Woody Collins. “I have to give a lot of credit for her actions to her family. It’s because she was brought up right. We are so proud of her.”

The council’s recognition of Piedra stems from an event which occurred during the Christmas on the River weekend, when she performed an act of kindness that likely saved the life of a seven-year old boy.

After the Day Parade, Henry Blight began choking on a piece of candy lodged in his throat. In what is being called a divine appointment, Piedra saw this family in need and immediately jumped into action.

The proclamation read, “Whereas on the afternoon of December 2, 2023, Andrea Piedra stopped to help a stranger without hesitation or concern for her own safety. And whereas Andrea’s decisive actions personifies the meaning of hero, her concern for the welfare of others is a source of inspiration to everyone. Now therefore I, Woody Collins, as Mayor of the City of Demopolis, on the behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2023 as a day to honor and recognize Andrea Piedra.”

Police Chief Rex Flowers presented Piedra with a Life Saving Medal award for her willingness to step in and help another person. The Life Saving Medal is issued to anyone who performs extraordinary actions to save the life of a person who would have likely died if not for that action.

“On behalf of the Demopolis Police Department, I would like to issue a Life Saving Award in recognition of saving a human life under emergency conditions, presented on this seventh day of December,” said Flowers.

Piedra is the Vice President of the Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA) at DHS, led by teacher Nadine Rodgers. Piedra has been a part of the Healthcare Career Tech Pathway for four years and plans to pursue a career in the health sciences field. She has recently been accepted to UAB.