The principal of Meadows Elementary in Manhattan Beach is expressing gratitude for the quick-thinking actions of a group of girls who saved a fellow classmate from choking.

The fourth-grade girls, who are between the ages of 9 and 10, had been eating lunch together two weeks ago when one started choking on a croissant, Meadows Principal Michelle Krzmarzick told MB News.

Since the girls had learned about the Heimlich Maneuver when they were Girls Scouts in second grade, one of the students performed the maneuver on the choking student, dislodging the food. Meanwhile, the other girls immediately ran to get help. Although a lunch supervisor arrived within seconds, the student had already stopped choking.

"Because of their quick thinking, we have a lot more to be grateful and thankful for this season," said Krzmarzick.

At Meadows' fire drill last week, Krzmarzick invited the firefighters from Manhattan Beach Fire Station 2 to surprise the girls with some treats from the station.

Krzmarzick said that the girls were modest about their actions - and were genuinely surprised by the honor they received from the fire department. "They can’t believe anyone is making a big deal out of this," she said. "They were in awe, saying, "They're coming for us?!' But I wanted to acknowledge their bravery."

The girls had apparently learned the Heimlich Maneuver when a father of one of the girls had come to their Girl Scout troop in second grade to teach them a few basic first aid procedures.

"They were taught it, they remembered it, they kept their heads cool, and they did it," said Krzmarzick. She noted that the incident was a reminder "to never underestimate children and what they’re capable of."

"I couldn't be prouder," she added.