Forsyth County honors 12-year-old who performed CPR to save drowning child
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Summary
The Forsyth County Board of Education recognized 12-year-old Wyatt Gaynor and his teacher Ashley Kaufman after Wyatt pulled an unresponsive 5-year-old from a pool, performed CPR and called 911; the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office presented a lifesaving award on the board's behalf.
The Forsyth County Board of Education on Aug. 19 honored 12-year-old Wyatt Gaynor, a South Forsyth Middle School student, for rescuing a 5-year-old who was unresponsive after a near-drowning at a community pool.
Board members and district staff said Wyatt pulled the child from the water, performed CPR and called 911. The board recognized Wyatt and his sixth-grade teacher, Ashley Kaufman, who the district credited with teaching life-saving CPR skills as part of a health diagnostic and support services course.
Sher Freeman of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office explained that Lieutenant Martin White, a first responder on the scene, recommended Wyatt for a lifesaving award. Freeman said the office rarely gives that honor outside law enforcement and presented the lifesaving award to Wyatt at the meeting. In Wyatt's words, the board reported, he said he "just zoned in in those moments."
District officials praised Kaufman's classroom approach, noting she used engaging techniques to teach CPR and other health standards that prepared Wyatt to act. The board and community members joined school leaders in presenting the recognition and took a group photo after the ceremony.
The board moved on with its regular agenda after the recognition, and did not take further formal action regarding the incident.