(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Nov. 10, 2026) — As the nation prepares to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces, El Paso ISD is celebrating one student's extraordinary courage and quick thinking during an emergency involving her father, a military veteran.

Sofia A. Manchego, a student at Coach Wally Hartley School PK-8, was recently honored with the El Paso VA Health Care System (VAHCS) Local HeRO Award by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for her actions during a medical emergency involving her father.

Sofia was accompanying her father to an appointment at the main VA campus when he suddenly became very ill after arriving on VA property. He pulled into an isolated parking area before collapsing outside his vehicle.

Recognizing that her father needed help, Sofia immediately began shouting for assistance. Her calls were heard by a VA staff member who was outside on a break. The employee went to assess the situation and activated the Rapid Response Team, which promptly arrived and helped transport her father to the hospital. He is now safe.

Sofia's composure and decisive actions helped ensure her father received timely medical attention, bringing attention to an emergency that might otherwise have gone unnoticed for some time.

"At Coach Wally Hartley PK–8, we often remind our students to be the STORM, and that being a Hurricane means demonstrating strength, courage, and character, even when faced with life's most difficult moments,” said Hartley PK-8 Principal Dr. Elisa Aranda. “Sofia's extraordinary bravery and presence of mind during a frightening situation are a powerful example of those values in action. Her ability to remain calm, think quickly, and take action when someone she loves needed her most speaks volumes about the remarkable young person she is.”

As El Paso ISD recognizes the service and sacrifices of veterans this Veterans Day, Sofia's story is also a reminder of the courage and compassion that can make a difference in someone's life. Her actions have brought pride to her family, her school and the entire El Paso ISD community.