Golden Knight Honored by Boy Scouts of America for Life Saving Actions

“Even before I attended St. Francis High School, Fr. Tony and the school taught me how to be humble and how to treat everyone as if they are my brother or sister.” Ryan Gonzalez ’19 delivered these remarks last Wednesday, April 27, as part of his speech at the Boys Scouts of America Greater Los Angeles Area Council Business Leaders’ Breakfast. During his remarks, he discussed the actions he took to save a man’s life on February 27th, 2016. St. Francis High School family is proud of the decisive actions Ryan took to assist another person in need and the humility he has demonstrated in response to the recognition he received.

On Saturday, February 27, St. Francis High School freshman Ryan Gonzalez ’19 saved a life by remaining calm and taking decisive action when confronted with a life-threatening situation. As Ryan and a friend were walking back home from the Pasadena Farmer’s Market, they came upon a man bent over with his two young girls next to him. Desperately, the man looked up at the boys and uttered one word, “Heimlich!” Fortunately for this family, Ryan, a Boy Scout from Troop 355, was in the right place at the right time…with the right training! Ryan immediately shouted to his friend to call 911 and then jumped into action, wrapping his hands around the man as he had learned and recited so many times before. Twelve times Ryan thrust his arms upward before the object finally became dislodged and the man was able to breath again.

St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, (818) 790-0325 or visit www.sfhs.net.