Long Island lifeguard helps secure scholarships to fund lessons for young swimmers
EAST MEADOW, Long Island (WABC) -- A young swimmer on Long Island helped to secure scholarships that fund lessons for other young swimmers so that they can learn valuable life skills they need to stay safe in the pool, and stay cool in the heat.
On a scorching hot day at Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow, there's is no place better than the pool, but for 16-year-old Hempstead life guard, Jace Owens, this day is even sweeter.
"He's really nice. And I really appreciate what he did," said 8-year-old Selene Fernandez, who thanked Owens.
Fernandez is getting free swimming lessons at this pool because of Owens, who is helping her face her fears.
"What goes through my mind is like if I drown and something happens to me, nobody notices," Fernandez said.
Owens gets it, because at that age, he too had to overcome some pretty tough life lessons. He struggled a bit in the water back then, knowing some of his relatives from the Caribbean had drowned.
"At first it was interesting, because he kind of flailed and it was a little difficult for him to feel comfortable. Once he did though, it was almost like a second home for him," said Owens' mother Natasha Owens.
Now, Owens is a competitive swimmer entering his senior year at Baldwin High School, but he hasn't forgotten the little kids like Selene from his elementary school, who may not have access to lessons.
"I decided that maybe it should be a scholarship thing, where students would be able to write about their love for water safety," Owens said.
He reached out to the foundation Stew Leonard and his wife started in the name of their 21-month-old son who had drowned to see if they would fund the scholarships, and they did, citing Owens' ability to "make waves."
"Not only your compassion for wanting to save a life through swimming, but your hustle baby, I love that," Stew Leonard said.
Owens told Eyewitness News that he believes every child has a right to feel safe in the water, and so as parents, if we're watching them, we need fewer distractions. Put down your cellphones, and don't get distracted socializing.
For Fernandez, these lessons are a gift that will keep giving.
"She wanted to learn so that she can help me with her brother, if they're in the water," said Fernandez's mother Caroline Fernandez.
For Owens, it's a full circle moment.
"It's a life skill," he said.
And potentially a life saver.
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