OGDEN — Derek Tate, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School teacher, has been certified a hero. Students have long considered him heroic as a physical education teacher and as athletic director and more recently as an awesome math teacher. But on February 12, The American Red Cross of Northern Utah presented Tate as one of seven bona fide heroes at their luncheon The American Red Cross of Northern Utah Salutes our Heroes. Tate was nominated by St. Joseph registrar, Shelli Dominguez, for his actions in coming to the aid of 7th grader Jace Williams. Having been told to finish his lunchtime roll before going out to recess, Jace did what most middle school boys would do – he stuffed the entire roll into his mouth. Moments later he was having trouble breathing and could not move the roll up or down. Office personnel attempted abdominal thrusts to dislodge the roll without success. Tate was called and responded immediately; using his first aid skills and drawing on his background in nursing, he was able to clear the airway allowing Jace to breath. These rescue efforts saved the boy’s life. St. Joseph has many unsung heroes, teachers who go the extra mile in teaching a child who needs extra help, or parent volunteers who show their commitment to the school and the students of St. Joseph week after week, or our maintenance team who worked heroically to clear Ogden’s near-record snowfall this winter. But we now have a hero whose song has been sung. We are proud of you Mr. Tate!
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