Schools
Plainfield North Student Honored After Saving Lives
Senior Scott Arya was jet skiing when he saw three girls in danger of drowning.
PLAINFIELD, IL — A Plainfield North senior was awarded the 2019 Youth Hero Award for saving three girls who were in danger of drowning. Senior Scott Arya was presented the award by the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association.
Arya was on a family trip in Madeira Beach, Fla., in March when he went jet skiing for the first time ever, School District 202 said in a news release. While skiing, Arya noticed three girls struggling after being caught in a riptide about 100 feet from the shore.
Arya sped over to the girls and pulled two of them to shore before going back and rescuing the third girl, according to District 202.
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“I didn’t think too much about it,” Arya said in a statement. “I feel that if any other person was in that situation, they would have done the same thing.”
The Illinois Fire Inspectors Association also presented a Youth Hero Award to 2018 Plainfield South graduate Makenzie Vargo for her lifesaving action during the DARE pool party at the Plainfield Park District’s Ottawa Street Pool.
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Vargo noticed a child in distress after jumping off the diving board and immediately took action to assist the child, according to District 202.
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