A KSC senior’s quick thinking and heroic action saved a woman from drowning in Lake Winnipesaukee on July 17. Catherine Jennison of Belmont, N.H., a 21-year-old art major working as a lifeguard at Ellacoya State Park in Guilford, was off duty but still at the beach when a park visitor told her that she’d seen a woman go under the water but not come up.

Catherine grabbed her rescue buoy and hit the water. Two other on-duty lifeguards soon joined her. The trio found a Barrington woman under water and were able to get her to the surface and to shore, where they got her breathing normally.

The state parks system, the town of Gilford, and the Gilford Fire-Rescue Department presented the lifeguards with recognition awards.

As Catherine told us, “I’m so thankful for all the training I have had. Lifeguarding year round has made me such a better lifeguard, and it keeps my skills honed. I’m glad that I have a job at the Keene State pool.” Looks like anyone swimming in the Spaulding pool is in good hands.

Read all about it in this article in the Union Leader. Or this one in the Citizen of Laconia. Or this article on the WMUR website – with video! And send Ms Jennison a comment to let her know what a hero she is!