Megan Andronczyk, Racine

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Megan is being honored for a very special heroic act. She saved her little brother, AJ, from drowning in the family’s pool. AJ, who is now 5 years old, was 3 at the time of the accident.

As Megan’s mom Renee tells it, the entire family had gathered at their pool one summer day. While the kids splashed around in the water, the parents sat on the deck keeping an eye on them. Suddenly, Megan screamed out, “Mommy, Daddy!” Before an adult made it to her, Megan jumped into the pool, pulling her brother from the bottom. AJ, it seems, thought he’d jump in with the older kids even though he didn’t know how to swim.

 “She’s our hero,” says Renee of her daughter. “AJ is so lucky to have her as his big sister.”

As for AJ, he doesn’t remember much about that day, but his mom assures us that he’s taking swimming lessons now and is very careful around the pool.