Teen Lifeguard Invited to White House After Santa Cruz Rescue
The White House said 16-year-old Ryder Williams was invited to the executive residence for a civilian honor after his rescue of a 10-year-old boy at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California. Williams, a junior guard with the Santa Cruz County Parks Department, pulled the child from strong surf that had swept him offshore, after which paramedics examined the boy and he was reunited with his family. The rescue, captured on video, drew praise from rescue officials and national attention, and officials highlighted it as his first official lifeguard response.