Teen awarded for saving man's life

WAUKESHA COUNTY (CBS 58) -- Paige freeman, a Kettle Moraine High School senior, is being called a hero.

Freeman knew something was wrong when she came across a man laying on the ground who was nearly unconscious.

"So I said, I know CPR. Do you need my help? And they said, they needed my help."

On the side of a road, Freeman began bystander CPR on the stranger.

"I had a lot of adrenaline, but I just knew I needed to help the person who needed my help."

She continued chest compressions on the man using skills she learned in her first aid/CPR class at Kettle Moraine High School.

"It doesn't surprise me at all that she would stop and help somebody in need, for her to perform and do this under pressure she was in," said Reid Chase, Kettle Moraine physical education teacher and CPR instructor.

Tuesday, Freeman was recognized with the Project ADAM Hero Award, surrounded by her family, teachers and lacrosse teammates. It honors those who jump into action by following an emergency response plan.

“It was very amazing to receive that award. I'm very honored," she said.

For the future nurse, helping others comes natural.

"I wanna be able to make that impact on other individuals and help them throughout their struggles and their needs."

Project ADAM began in 1999 after the death of 17-year-old Adam Lemel of Whitefish Bay who collapsed and died while playing basketball. His parents along with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin created the program in his memory.