BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A local student attended class on Wednesday, with a new medal.

Salem Palmer was in the cafeteria when he saw another student eating his food as he was going to throw his trash away, then started choking on it. Palmer went over and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on his classmate, instantly becoming a hero.

Because of his actions, Palmer received Mayor Hall's Medal of Appreciation during a special ceremony on Tuesday night.

Palmer said he learned the life-saving technique during CPR training with Hall Ambulance.

Palmer also mentioned he's always wanted to be a paramedic, but had no idea he was going to receive the award.