July 22, 2025—Rising Mabry Middle School 8th-grader Logan Richardson is known around the school for being helpful and kind. Recently, he also proved how aware and calm he could be in an emergency, earning him recognition from his school and his family as a Hero.
On Saturday, May 10, Logan Richardson was home alone with his Grandma when she began to choke. Logan asked his Grandma if he should call 911, and she shook her head no, so he called his parents. Logan quickly realized this was serious and decided to call 911 anyway. The operator instructed Logan how to give his Grandma the Heimlich maneuver. When she eventually stopped breathing and became unconscious, Logan administered CPR with instructions from the 911 operator.
"Logan’s Grandma was taken to the hospital and eventually released and is OK due to his quick thinking and reaction," said Mabry counselor Amy Hinsley. "Logan is a true hero!"
A few days after the scary experience, Mabry Principal Jonathan Tanner recognized Logan for his heroic actions. During one of his classes, Principal Tanner surprised Logan, sharing his story with classmates and recognizing him with a plaque for his brave and life-saving actions. Logan’s parents, Mrs. Hinsley, and Mabry Nurse Samantha Stephens were also in attendance.
"We are all so proud of him and tremendously in awe of his bravery and courage to make life-saving decisions," said Logan's mom. "He has always been a kind, loving, and smart child. He's always there for his friends and family to lean on, and this just proves how trustworthy and loving he really is!"
Nurse Stephens also presented Logan with three beads that she earned while working in the AFLAC Unit at Children's Hospital.
"Patients could give certain beads to their healthcare team members to celebrate milestones during their treatments. It is called the Beads of Courage program. I am passing along three of the beads I received to Logan to celebrate and remember this heroic action," Nurse Stephens explained.
The three beads she gave him were:
• Hope & Will: Awarded to a healthcare professional or an individual who showed great courage, compassion, and empathy when providing care.
• Wingman: Someone who flies beside you, who protects you, and who watches your back when you feel as if you are flying solo.
• Ladybug: A symbol of good fortune, good luck, and protection.
She also gave him a keychain CPR mask. "An emergency can occur anywhere, anytime, to anyone, and even children can come upon a scene that requires emergency response," Nurse Stephens said. "If we educate and prepare ourselves, then more efficient care can be provided, and a life potentially saved."
Thanks to Logan's clear thinking and decisive actions, his Grandma Nina is alive today. Asked about what he learned from the experience, Logan was quick to put it all in perspective.
"Try to stay calm and follow your gut," the Mabry hero said.
