This evening, the Board of Education spotlights Norwalk High School Student Morgan Saunders who acted quickly and selflessly, to save the precious life of a young girl in an emergency situation.

It was a typical summer Tuesday at Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach with families enjoying the beach and water. First-year lifeguard Morgan Saunders was scanning her section, when she spotted a girl face down in the water. The 17-year-old sounded the alert and sprinted into action, running into the Long Island Sound to save the 9-year-old girl.

When Morgan realized that the girl was not breathing, she began to perform CPR. After administering multiple chest compressions and rescue breathing, the girl began to breathe. That little girl’s name is Alexis Rowe.

Recently, Alexis and her family had the chance to meet Morgan in person, forming a special connection that they will both cherish now and in the future. Saunders was honored at the Norwalk Police Department and presented a civilian award for her lifesaving feat.

Morgan is a rising senior at Norwalk High School, where she stars on the swim team. She trained to be a lifeguard through the Norwalk High School lifeguarding program. Over the past 30 years, the lifeguarding program, offered through the Norwalk High School physical education department, has been a staple of the school community. Students who take this course have the ability to earn high school credit, while becoming a certified lifeguard at no cost. Private lifeguarding courses can cost upwards of $400. Hundreds of Norwalk High School students have become lifeguard certified and go on to summer jobs as a result.

We know Morgan is hoping for an uneventful remainder of the summer, but we are also confident that if someone needs help, Morgan will be there. The Board of Education honors Morgan and is grateful for the life that was saved due to Morgan’s expert actions, intuitive reflexes and training.