## Step 4 - Reading

Reading: Young heroes
You are going to read two articles about children who were called ‘heroes’ by their local communities.
First look at the pictures. What can you tell about them from the photos?

Now read the articles.

A 7-year-old Lynnwood Girl Scout was recognized in Edmonds Saturday afternoon for her efforts to save her 18-month-old brother from choking earlier this year. Annberly S., a member of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 43866, received a Medal of Honor from Girl Scouts USA during a ceremony Saturday at Edmonds Methodist Church. Because she is a minor, her parents have requested that her last name not be published. According to Troop 43866 Leader Elliott Gustavson, the second-grader and her 18-month-old brother Joseph were playing in the bedroom of their Lynnwood home the evening of Jan. 19, 2016, when Joseph started making odd noises. When Annberly turned to him, she saw that his face was changing color. “Annberly yelled for help, then leapt into action. Imitating what she had seen in a television program, she positioned her brother over her knee and gave him back blows,” Gustavson said. Added Annberly’s mother: “I ran to the room and found Annberly with Joseph over her knee, hitting his back and yelling for me. She gave him one more blow, and a small eraser came flying out of his mouth.” She said her daughter was in tears, clearly terrified for her brother. The Medal of Honor is a lifesaving award given by Girl Scouts of the USA to girls who have saved or attempted to save a human life under circumstances that indicate heroism, and is reserved for those who have performed heroic acts beyond the degree of maturity and training to be expected at their age. Gustavson submitted the application on the Girl Scout’s behalf, after which Girl Scouts of Western Washington approved the application and forwarded it to Girl Scouts of the USA. “I am so proud of Annberly’s quick thinking, leadership instinct and reliance on skills consistent with Girl Scouting,” Gustavson said. “It’s unusual for a Girl Scout this young to receive the Medal of Honor.” Girl Scout Brownie Troop 43866 has troop members in Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood and Everett. The girls are in second and third grades.

“Little” Oscar, who has Asperger’s syndrome, saw his mum being viciously mauled and having chunks ripped from her leg by their pet German Shepherd on her bedroom floor. Instead of “freaking out”, he tore the raging animal away and locked her in the laundry before carefully wrapping his mum’s leg in a towel and calling an ambulance. Today, to honour his courage, the 14-year-old Cockatoo boy has been given a Commendation for Brave Conduct as part of the Australian Bravery Decorations. Mum Dana Lyall, 52, said had it not been for her son’s tenacity, she would surely have been killed by the ferocious dog. “Oscar would pull her away and then she’d come back and attack me again about five or six times, it was horrific ... but he never gave up,” she said. “It was a random attack ... had it not been for Oscar, I’m sure I wouldn’t be here today.” Ms Lyall, a single mum, said she was proud of how her boy handled the situation in such a logical manner. “He was completely calm, he just did what had to be done and saved me.” Victorian Sergeant Deryn Caroline Ricardo has also been given Commendation for Brave Conduct after she helped save a man from a burning Dumbalk home while off-duty. Sgt Ricardo, who was on crutches at the time, helped neighbours and good Samaritans break into the smoke-filled house and safely removed the unconscious man, saving his life on December 16, 2011. Sgt Ricardo and Oscar join 43 other Australians who have been given Commendation for Brave Conduct, along with 25 Bravery Medal recipients, six Star of Courage recipients and seven Group Bravery Citations. Sir Peter Cosgrove said: “We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to put themselves in harm’s way to assist others in need.” Since 1975 and including the awards announced today, there have been five awards of the Cross of Valour, 153 awards of the Star of Courage, 1,267 awards of the Bravery Medal, 1,998 Commendations for Brave Conduct and 169 awards of the Group Bravery Citation.

Do the exercise.

You have read about heroic acts.
If you had to one bravery award, who would you give it to – Amberley, Oscar or Sergeant Ricardo?
You can only choose one. Give at least four reasons for your choice.

1. .............
2. .............
3. .............
4. .............