Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s Evolved “Young” Man of the Week profile. Today, we will highlight historical and contemporary figures who embody what it means to be an evolved man, famous and non-famous. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the heroic and brave teen, Jakob Thompson.
On November 30, 2023, Jakob Thompson rescued a woman from drowning in Ocean Ridge, Florida. In the afternoon, a woman in her mid-thirties entered the Boynton Inlet and battled against a strong current that was carrying her towards the opening to the Atlantic Ocean. Jakob, a 17-year-old high school student, witnessed others attempting, without success, to retrieve the woman from the water, prompting him to drive to the nearby parking lot by crossing a bridge over the inlet.
Jakob got out of his truck and noticed the woman had moved to the center of the inlet. He took off his shirt, leaped off the seawall, and landed in the water. Jakob reached the woman by swimming approximately 90 feet, intercepting her and holding onto her chest. She gasped for breath, her energy almost depleted.
Jakob then guided the woman back to the same seawall, which was over 200 feet away from where he had entered the water, and kept her there until two men arrived to pull her to safety. Jakob emerged unassisted from the situation. Once the first responders evaluated the woman, they transported her to a hospital. The barnacles covering the seawall resulted in Jakob having minor cuts on his hands and feet.
His heroic efforts impressed Sarah Perry. Aden, her son, was lost while attempting to rescue a driver from a lake. Sarah established “The Aden Perry Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund” after his passing, which recognizes students for their heroic deeds.
Jakob’s dream of enrolling in the fire academy became a reality when she surprised him with a scholarship.
“It’s gonna cover all of his schooling, all of his bunker gear. Everything that he needs is in that envelope,” said Sarah.
Jakob Thompson describes the honor he’s receiving and his heroic rescue of a drowning woman:
“Now after having a scholarship, it’s gonna take care of everything and I know I’m going to be able to finish my schooling as a firefighter…Putting my life out there to help somebody came with a reward, but I was never looking for one.”
Sarah committed to supporting Jakob Thompson throughout his journey to becoming a firefighter, pledging to be there for every milestone. Jacob mentioned his intention to go back to Boyton Beach Fire Rescue and work as a firefighter. The Evolving Man Project wishes Jakob Thompson the best in his pursuit of becoming a firefighter and applauds his heroic efforts in 2023. Today, we honor Jakob Thompson as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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