A teen has been honored for his bravery after saving a woman from drowning in the Boynton Beach Inlet last month.
A teen is shown in a video saving a woman from being washed out to sea from the Boynton Beach Inlet, and it has drawn a lot of attention.
Because of the swift currents, Boynton Beach Fire Rescue claims that it’s one of the most hazardous inlets in South Florida.
Jacob Thompson was given a tour of one of the Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Team’s stations on Wednesday by invitation.
Little did he know, he was about to receive a scholarship that will change his life.
“Putting my life out there to help somebody came with a reward, but I was never looking for one,” said Thompson.
His heroic efforts caught the attention of Sarah Perry. She lost her son Aden while he tried to save a driver out of a lake.
Since his death, Sarah started “The Aden Perry Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund” aimed at rewarding students for their heroic acts.’
Sarah felt an instant connection to Jakob.
“When I saw Jakob’s story it just grabbed my heart, and I immediately knew I had to see him,” she said. “I knew I had to meet him, and I had to hug him because he did what my son did. He is like my son. He didn’t think, he didn’t hesitate he just jumped in and did the right thing.”
It’s the first time Sarah is giving out the hero award.
She surprised Jakob with a scholarship so he could enroll in the fire academy, something Jakob had dreamed of.
“It’s gonna cover all of his schooling, all of his bunker gear, everything that he needs is in that envelope,” said Sarah.
“Now after having a scholarship, it’s gonna take care of everything and I know I’m going to be able to finish my schooling as a firefighter,” said Thompson.
Sarah said she would be following Jakob’s journey to becoming a firefighter and promised to be there for every milestone!
Jacob Thompson says he hopes to one day return to the Boyton Beach Fire Rescue as a firefighter.