WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Two Des Moines teenagers were honored Friday afternoon for saving two young boys who broke through the ice in a West Des Moines pond a year ago.
Last February, 15-year-old Jasmine Morris and her 17-year-old sister JaCora Morris entered near-freezing water to save two boys, who were around 9 years old, as they were struggling in the water.
During the rescue, Jasmine swam to one of the boys and pushed him up on the ice so he could crawl to safety. Meanwhile, JaCora entered the pond and pulled the other boy up to the surface, removing his backpack which was weighing him down.
On Friday, Sen. Joni Ernst presented them with the Carnegie Medal for Heroism, North America's highest honor for civilian heroism.
"I was thrilled to be able to do this for Jasmine and JaCora Morris, two incredible young women that truly did save the life of two young boys," Ernst told Local 5.
"You know, when I first learned it, their story, I got very emotional about it too, just because sometimes you forget the goodness in some of these young men and women," Ernst added. "And for them to respond so quickly, you know, it was really incredible. I know that the families of those boys are very thankful as well."
In addition to the award, both sisters also received scholarship money from the Carnegie Hero Fund.