Heroic youth

Local children recognized for good deeds in the 'Our Young Heroes' program

From raising money for cancer victims, to calling 9-1-1, to rescuing a drowning boy, this year's young heroes finalists have each been a positive force in the lives of others.

The "Our Young Heroes" program recognizes local youth who have engaged in a heroic or kind action.

A ceremony honoring the young heroes will be held prior to the performance of the Lodi Community Band on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Hutchins Street Square.

The annual Young Heroes program is open to boys and girls age 14 or younger who are nominated by teachers, relatives, friends or neighbors.

The program was started by Joan Levy, past News-Sentinel classified advertising representative, with Lap and Yee Wong of Lodi.

Raising money for Relay for Life

Dominic Borra

Name: Dominic Borra

Age: 9

City: Lodi

School: University Public School

After Dominic's grandmother died of cancer, he decided he wanted to do something to help cancer patients. For the second year, he has been raising money to donate to Relay for Life. He held a soccer camp and raffles at his family's winery. As a result of his efforts, he has raised over $300 this year.

"It makes me feel good to know I'm helping a lot of people," he said.

He began by doing chores around the house to raise money for prizes to be auctioned off. He was able to get some friends to help, said his mother, Tina Borra.

"I'm very proud of him. He has taken a lot of initiative," she said. "It's impressive to see kids understand fundraising."

A call to 9-1-1

Emanuel Williams

Name: Emanuel Williams

Age: 5

City: Stockton

School: Harrison Elementary

When Emanuel Williams tried to talk to his grandmother on the morning of Oct. 13, she was unresponsive. He dialed 9-1-1, gave the phone to his grandfather and told him to tell the ambulance to come and get her.

"I felt scared. I thought she was dead," he said.

Vicky Williams, Emanuel's grandmother, had slipped into a diabetic coma. She said her husband had woken up and gone downstairs, thinking she was just sleeping. Emanuel said it is because of his kindergarten teacher that he knew to call 9-1-1.

Vicky's blood sugar had risen to 1,475. Later she was told she had only 20 minutes to live.

"I owe him my life," said Vicky, in Emanuel's nomination.

A water rescue

Blake Montgomery

Name: Blake Montgomery

Age: 14

City: Lodi

School: Lodi High School

For Blake Montgomery, July 15 began like any other day. He and his family were in Morro Bay spending the day on the beach. Blake was out on the water on a boogie board when the wind and waves suddenly became rough. Four neighborhood boys, all between the ages of 10 and 12, got caught in the riptide. Blake noticed one of the boys was unable to hold his head up, so he gave away his own boogie board, went to the boy and held his head out of the water until a lifeguard arrived.

"I had to go back and save that one kid, because ... he couldn't hold up his head anymore," Blake said to his mother, Darenda Austin, after the incident happened.

Austin said Blake has always enjoyed being in the water and would sleep in it if she let him.

"I once told him, 'Someday you're going to save someone's life,'" she said. "He happened to be at the right place at the right time."