Cooper
Johnson
Pismo Beach
I
feel that I should be honored as California Junior Lifeguard of
the Year because every day I fulfill my commitment to make myself
better because I know that lives will depend on me in the near
future. I make myself hurt during every exercise my squad does.
That little bit of pain today is what will make me able to go
that much further to make a rescue. I know that if I slack off,
I might be just a second too late to save a drowning swimmer.
When my instructor gives us strange and seemingly pointless exercises
to do, I complete them without question, because I might gain
experience that will help during an unorthodox rescue. When I
am a lifeguard, the public will trust me to be there for them,
and I owe it to them to be in the best shape and have the best
knowledge. I will continue to push myself and learn everyday at
Junior Guards until I reach that point.
Kyle
Markman
Seal Beach
I
think I deserve to be the Honored Junior Lifeguard because I've
always been placed in all the high groups. I always give my best
effort in everything we do. Each day I am quizzed on all sorts
of trivia about the beach and I am one of the few that knows the
answers. It is possible that you may know these three fellows,
Joe Bailey, Jeff Martinek, and Kyle Heinrick. These three guys
crammed all that knowledge into my brain. They worked my body
pretty hard, but I'm used to it because I like lots of physical
activity. If it weren't for all the hard work they put me through,
I wouldn't have placed fifth in flags last year at Regional Competition.
I know I didn't make it to Nationals, but fifth is not too bad.
There was another guy that was really inspirational, too and I'm
sure you remember him. He was A.J. Summers. He thought I was special
enough to take me with him to do an interview on television about
Junior LifeGuards. I feel that if there is only one person to
win for ability, courage, and smarts, it would most definitely
be me.
Leah
Robertson
Newport Beach
As
I think about all the qualities a person should have to represent
California as the 2000 Junior Lifeguard of the year, I am convinced
that I would be a good candidate for this honor.
I
started the Newport Beach Jr. Lifeguard program when I was eight
years old, making this my fourth year as a "C" Jr. Lifeguard.
This will be my third year participating in Regionals and have
been fortunate enough to compete at Nationals in Chicago and New
Jersey.
Winning
races and being part of the Regional and National teams has certainly
bee a highlight of my Jr. Lifeguard experience, but I think it
is more than that. It is about making friends, helping others,
being respectful, responsibility, staying in shape, building confidence
and of course, learning beach and ocean safety. I proudly wear
my uniform, knowing I am representing the City of Newport Beach.
This
year I helped several kids train to pass the initial swim test.
I swam with them during the test…..sort of like a pace car…to
help motivate and cheer them on. All the kids I worked with were
successful in passing and Mrs. Boyer even suggested I get business
cards! She was just kidding, but I hope to some day be working
for her.
This
year I have met new physical challenges and am learning new life
skills. Winning this special award would mean so much to me, but
just participating in this program, has made me feel like I have
already won!
