Young Hero Saves Mom During Race

A young girl is being celebrated for her courageous response after her mother experienced a stroke during a school event. Leilani Cienega, a fifth grader at Sinclear Elementary in Modesto, California, was participating in the school's '10K with a Cop' race on March 14 when her mother, Manuela Armenta, collapsed. Armenta, who had joined her daughter at the starting line, began experiencing blurred vision and weakness before falling. Despite her own worry, Cienega remained composed, remembering to call her brother for help and informing him of the situation and the intended hospital. She stayed by her mother's side, communicating with bystanders until paramedics arrived. First responders praised Cienega's handling of the emergency. Doctors confirmed Armenta had suffered a small stroke and also injured her knee in the fall, requiring her to use a wheelchair temporarily. They noted that the outcome could have been more severe had Cienega not acted so quickly. Cienega was subsequently surprised with a school-wide assembly to honor her bravery, attended by her family and the paramedics who assisted her mother. Her school district, Ceres Unified School District, also recognized her online, calling her a hero of all sizes.