High schoolers save life, earn Good Citizen Award

BRIGHTON, N.Y. (WHEC) — Two local high school students were gifted with a big honor Thursday after police say they saved a life.

Rochester area CrimeStoppers gave out their second annual Good Citizen Award to Ernest and Essence Singleton, both students at Edison High School.

Earlier this year, the two saved a young boy from drowning in a Brighton hotel swimming pool.

"Seeing my sister go and get him in the deep end, knowing that she can’t swim, gave me the courage to save him," Ernest said. "I didn’t panic. I grabbed him out of the water and started doing CPR. It was surreal in a way."

The CrimeStoppers Good Citizen Award is presented annually to a high school student who exhibits courage and leadership in the community.