The Peru Gazette

Ava Currie with Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York Council Staff.

Assemblyman Billy Jones presents Ava Currie with a proclamation.

Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York CEO Brenda Episcopo presents Ava Currie with Medal of Honor.

Plattsburgh, N.Y. – Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (GSNENY) recently recognized 11-year-old Cadette Ava Currie from Plattsburgh, who earned the Medal of Honor from Girl Scouts USA for rescuing a four-year-old boy from drowning when he fell into a pool while throwing pool toys into the pool from the deck.

While numerous adults were on and around the deck when the accident occurred, Ava’s no-hesitation and actions ensured the safe rescue. When she saw the boy fall into the pool and immediately swam to him and pulled him up and out of the water, all before he could start choking on the water.

The Medal of Honor is a rare award given to Girl Scouts for saving a life or attempting to save a life under circumstances that indicate heroism or risk of her own life. Since 2017, only 196 Girl Scouts nationwide have earned the Medal of Honor.

Girl Scouts between the ages of five and 17 can be awarded this award if they fit the criteria for consideration. The criteria considered for receiving a Medal of Honor include: if the Girl Scout acted at or above her age, maturity, or training; to what degree was this a girl-led/directed rescue effort; degree of difficulty of the rescue and danger to the life of the person(s) being rescued; nature of risk to Girl Scout’s life; the amount of assistance received by others; whether proper first aid/emergency care procedures were followed; extent of good judgment; and circumstances surrounding the event.  Awards are made by a special committee of Girl Scouts of the USA.

Other examples of acts that have earned the Medal of Honor include Girl Scouts who have addressed life-threatening cases of respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, airway blockages/choking, water rescue/drowning, stroke, seizure, heat exhaustion, cardiac arrest, accidents (like car crash, machinery accidents), diabetic emergencies, severe sickness and more.