A Black Diamond Elementary student received the Hometown Hero Award from the Black Diamond City Council for saving a boy from drowning last year.

Garret McGann, 10, was with his family at the Great Wolf Lodge in September 2011. While his mother, Tina, swam with his 7-year-old twin brothers in the shallow part of the wave pool, Garret swam into the deeper end.

There, Garret observed a younger, smaller boy around 5 or 6, swimming in a life preserver much too large for him.

As he watched him attempt to swim, Garret saw the boy’s arms slip out from the life jacket, which caused his head to go underwater.

Reacting quickly, Garret swam over to the boy and attempted to keep him afloat so he could breathe.

Meanwhile, Tina McGann looked over and saw Garret. From where she stood, it appeared as though he was struggling to swim as well.

“I actually thought (at first) Garret was the one drowning,” she said. “All I could see was Garret’s head going up and down. I was all ready to go over there. I didn’t know exactly what happened until it was all over.

Fortunately, Garret’s father, Jack, as well as the lifeguards, were able to spot them.

The lifeguards immediately jumped into the water and were able to bring the young boy out.

There, it was discovered he was deaf when his father began to communicate with him via sign language, which meant the boy was unable to call for help.

“It was a great time to be there,” Tina McGann said. “He has always been a great swimmer.”

According to Tina McGarret, Garrett is only the fourth person to receive the award since 2000.

“We’ve proud of him, of course,” she said. “We personally don’t teach our kids to do things to get recognized. We teach them to do things for our community.”