Fifth-grader Leilani Cienega-Armenta was heralded as a hero in a special assembly held yesterday at Sinclear Elementary School for actions she took during a family medical emergency.

Leilani, 10, and fellow members of the school’s Run Club, had been training all year to run in the March 14 “10K with a Cop” and was making her way to the downtown Modesto starting line when her mother suddenly dropped to the ground in a parking lot. Manuela Armenta had collapsed with a stroke.

The girl didn’t panic but assured her mother everything would be alright as she called older brother Jonathan Cienega who then called 911.

In the midst of the emergency, Leilani remained calm, sought out first-responders and stayed by her mother’s side as she received medical aid.

Manuela Armenta said she had no idea she was having a stroke.

“I felt my knees so weak and then I felt kind of dizzy and my vision went blurry,” she said. “I fell knees first and then my whole body. I thought she was going to get so scared and she was like, ‘Mommy, don’t worry, everything’s going to be okay. I’m gonna call my brothers so they can come help us.’”

Armenta spent some time in the hospital but is doing well and mending from a broken knee sustained when she hit the asphalt.

“The way Leilani responded is nothing short of inspiring,” said Sinclear Elementary teacher Amy Souza, who coaches the Run Club. “She exemplified courage, resilience, and care for others in a way that reflects the very best of our students.”

The SInclear team raised $162.50 in the race. Other members who ran were Abigail Walle Garcia, Canaan Souza, Evelyn Gonzalez, Fabian Huitado, Genesis Khan, Genevive Khan, Gianna Nevarez Zamora, Jayleen Clack, Matteo Yepez, Michael Souza, Natalie Nevarez Zamora, Nathaly Olivares, Remi Romero, Rogelio Yepez, Roman Nevarez Zamora, Simrat Dhaliwal, Martin Gonzalez, Mercedes Yepez and Alfonzo Walle.