Saratoga Standard

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the Senate’s highest honor, to 12-year-old Amelia Juracka from Greenfield, NY. The sixth grader saved her two-year-old cousin from drowning in a pool last summer. This makes her the youngest person Senator Tedisco has ever honored with the New York State Liberty Medal and one of the youngest in state history. The ceremony was held at the Queensbury offices of the Girl Scouts of Northeastern, New York.

Amelia was attending a family gathering when her two-year-old cousin, Oliver, wandered into the deep end of a swimming pool. Utilizing water safety skills she learned as a camper at Hidden Lake Girl Scout Camp, Amelia recognized that Oliver was in danger. She jumped into the pool and swam to him, pulling him up and out of the water to safety. Although frightened, Oliver was unharmed and everyone present expressed gratitude for Amelia’s quick response.

The New York State Senate Liberty Medal is awarded by resolution to individuals who have performed exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of fellow New Yorkers.

In addition to this honor, Juracka also received the Girl Scout Medal of Honor – an accolade only bestowed upon 27 Girl Scouts nationwide.

“When Amelia Juracka’s two-old-cousin wandered into the deep end of a pool, she didn’t hesitate to use the safety training she received as a Girl Scout to immediately respond and prevent a tragedy from happening. I am proud to present the Senate’s highest honor, the Liberty Medal to Amelia for truly exemplifying the spirit of heroism and compassion and the best of New York,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.