Girl Scout Earns the Lifesaving Bronze Cross
Lifesaving Awards have been part of Girl Scouts since the organization began in the United States in 1912. These awards recognize Girl Scouts from 5-17 years of age who have heroically saved or attempted to save a life, demonstrating skills and judgement beyond the degree of maturity and training to be expected at their age. There are two Lifesaving Awards; the Lifesaving Bronze Cross is given for saving a life or attempting to save a life with risk to the candidate’s own life, and the Lifesaving Medal of Honor is given for saving a life or attempting to save a life without risk to the candidate’s own life.
Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is proud to congratulate Girl Scout Cora from Troop 137 for being honored with the Girl Scout Lifesaving Bronze Cross! Last spring while attending a picnic and pool party, Cora noticed a five-year-old who was having difficulty in the water after jumping into the pool without supervision.
“Cora didn’t know anybody at the party and definitely wasn’t expected to be responsible for the younger children,” Laura Jackson, Cora’s mom, said. “The little girl, who was otherwise being watched very closely by her family, was just excited to go back to swimming. While everyone—including myself—was distracted with food and conversation, she jumped into the deep end alone and without her floaties.”
Laura wants to remind us that drowning isn’t the loud, dramatic spectacle that we see in the movies. “It is very quiet, and it only takes a second for a dangerous situation to unfold,” she says. “The day could have ended very differently and very tragically if Cora had just shrugged and waited for somebody else to take action. Instead, she immediately jumped into the pool and performed a rescue swim (a skill her dad taught her the previous summer).”
Cora’s parents are so very proud of the action she took. “What makes me so proud is that Cora didn’t perform this rescue, then brag about her good deed,” Laura shared. “She didn’t make sure everyone saw that she did a brave thing. After helping the little girl out of the water, Cora simply went back to quietly eating her dinner. She has a heart of service and is humble. She bravely chose to do the right thing and expected absolutely no praise or recognition for it. She was just being a Girl Scout: helpful, courageous, and caring.”
Cora’s troop surprised her by announcing she had earned the Girl Scout Lifesaving Bronze Cross at the Troop’s recent Cookie Rally. Cora, who was a Girl Scout Junior when the incident happened, is now a Girl Scout Cadette and is looking forward to an awesome year in Girl Scouting. Cora will be formally presented with the award at the annual GSCCC Girl Scout Awards Ceremony on June 7, 2025.
