A teen lifeguard was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal on Wednesday for her work saving a drowning child in a west-end wading pool.

On June 29, 17-year-old Kate Winn rescued a four-year-old boy from the centre’s pool.

 Foreign affairs minister and Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean John Baird said he was impressed by Winn’s story and nominated her for the honour. 

“To be able to do it successfully on the first day on the job is pretty remarkable,” said Baird. “What a great example of young people around the country.”

Baird also presented four other life guards with certificates, for their excellent work.

Winn says the little boy still comes to the pool often and he is learning swimming skills.

“He loves to swim. I play in the water with him all the time,” said Winn. “He’s good at blowing bubbles and kicking now.”

But she said the child wears a life-jacket at all times and says the lifeguards are always watching closely.