A teenager from Florida is being recognized as a hero after saving a woman from drowning in a fast-moving inlet. Jakob Thompson, 17, received two awards that are reserved for people who perform heroic acts.

Thompson was near the Boynton Inlet in South Florida in November 2023 when he became aware that a woman was struggling in the water. The inlet is known to be dangerous. Its strong current can overpower swimmers, and its seawall makes it difficult to exit the water. But Thompson didn’t hesitate to jump in. An avid swimmer who spends a lot of time at area waterways, he swam about 90 feet (27 meters) before he reached the woman, put an arm around her, and took her back to the seawall. Two people helped the pair out of the water.

“I think the adrenaline took over,” Thompson later told WPEC CBS 12.  

The story got a lot of attention. One of the people who heard about it was Sarah Perry, who lost her son when he tried to save someone from drowning. Perry has since started a scholarship fund for teen heroes. Thompson is the first recipient. He said the money will enable him to train as a firefighter—something he’s been planning.

“Now after having a scholarship, it’s gonna take care of everything and I know I’m going to be able to finish my schooling as a firefighter,” Thompson told WPEC CBS 12.

Along with 16 other individuals, Thompson also received the Carnegie Medal, which goes to people in the United States and Canada who risk their safety to save the lives of others.