‘I am proud to be a Junior Lifeguard’

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is Newport Beach resident Allison

Manning’s winning essay for this year’s Junior Lifeguard competition. It

was selected from more than 1,200 entries.

I am not the fastest swimmer or the best runner. But I do love the

ocean, the beach, all of the people and, therefore, the Junior Lifeguard

program.

I have been a member of this “family” for three years and have loved

every second of it. From grabbing a flag and getting that feeling of

triumph, to rounding the buoy and thinking how proud my mom would be when

I told her about it.

I know I’m not a “super-athletic” person, but I still try my best

anyway. Why? Because I know that I am representing my city, Newport

Beach. I am learning. Not only how to save someone’s life, but how to

interact with people my own age. CPR will mean a lot someday, but all the

friendships I make over the summer mean a lot now.

It seems to me, that the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard program should

not be called a program at all, I think it should be called a family,

because when I’m there, I feel as comfortable as I would in my own home.

I am proud to be a Junior Lifeguard.