Colorado Girl Scout receives Medal of Honor for lifesaving act

Ada Christensen took initiative and saved her cousin from drowning

Girl Scout Junior Ada Christensen, 10, of Littleton will be awarded the Girl Scouts Medal of Honor for saving the life of her 2-year-old cousin, who fell into a lake and was at risk of drowning. The Girl Scout Medal of Honor is presented to young leaders who have shown heroism and sound judgment in an emergency to save a life without risk to their own.

Last July, Christensen's young cousin fell off a dock extending over a lake into waist deep, muddy water where she was struggling to right herself, or get herself out of the lake.

Christensen didn't hesitate when the adults were too far away to act. She jumped into the lake, quickly reached her cousin, got her upright and safely made their way out of the water.

“Ada also handled the situation with remarkable calm,” said Sarah Walker, Christensen’s aunt. “My daughter was understandably upset immediately afterward, but Ada’s calm response helped her feel safe and reassured. Later that same day, my daughter was comfortable enough to get back into the water, which I think speaks to how calmly and confidently Ada handled the rescue.”

Christensen will be honored with a brief pinning ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. at Girl Scout DreamLab (63 N Quebec St, Ste 104, Denver, CO 80224)

Girl Scouts have been honored for meritorious deeds that have helped save lives since the inception of the organization 114 years ago. The Bronze Cross and Medal of Honor are the modern iterations of these awards.

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October 28, 2026