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Reporter: Alexis Fernandez

 

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Jake Little,12, is like any other 7th grader at Esperero Canyon Middle School. He loves playing sports - like tennis, and like others his age, he is a Boy Scout.

He's earned a few merit badges, and is learning skills to help get him through life.

And it turns out, his isn't the only life impacted by his experience.

On October 9, 2012, Little was in a classroom at school when he noticed something wrong with his Spanish teacher. 

"I saw her get up and gasp for air and her face turned red, and I quickly looked around to see if anybody else was doing anything, everyone else didn't notice, didn't know what to do," he said.

Being prepared, he knew exactly what to do and rushed up and gave her the Heimlich maneuver. All thanks to his work toward a first aid merit badge. 

"It really helped me get the information that I needed to do," he said. 

His teacher, Maria Pastorino-Bellows calls him a hero.

9OYS's Alexis Fernandez asked him if he considered himself a hero?

"I consider myself a normal Boy Scout," he responded.

But even normal Scouts admit his actions go above and beyond, so he's being honored with the Boy Scouts of America National Heroism Award.

His family says it's a blessing for a young boy in the right place, at the right time, who knew exactly the right thing to do. 

"It's been wonderful for him, it's given him confidence and as a mother that's great," said Sara Little.

"He's a lot more popular around school and it's fun to see him happy," said his sister, Madison.

For Jake, it's just a responsibility he accepted when taking the Boy Scouts Oath to help other people at all times. Something he says all of us are able to do. 

"If anybody sees anybody, just go out and save them," he said.