WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A West Palm Beach woman was awarded a full scholarship to Palm Beach State College (PBSC) on Tuesday for a heroic act that saved a child’s life.
Jermya Adams, 23, of West Palm Beach, was presented a full scholarship for $25,000 to Palm Beach State College at the College’s Yvonne S. Boice STEAM Luncheon.
Adams was invited to the luncheon by the Foundation for Palm Beach State College. According to the vice president of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Foundation for PBSC, David Rutherford, Adams was told she was going to be honored and presented with a certificate.
“She thinks she’s being honored and getting a certificate in recognition that she was a local hero. And for the great work that she did, she has no idea that she is going to get a scholarship today fully paid for as money as much as four years,” said Rutherford.
Rutherford tells CBS12 News Adams was selected for this award after they saw CBS12’s coverage of the terrifying moments where she saved the life of a local toddler.
On April 10, Adams had gotten home after working the night shift as a certified nursing assistant. She normally sleeps during the day but was suddenly awoken by a neighbor’s desperate cries for help.
“She just was screaming. And from that scream, I could tell it was something serious where she couldn’t even get it out. So the first thing I did, I jumped up and I ran out there,” said Adams.
Her neighbor’s 22-month-old son had wandered outside and fell into a nearby lake. Although the mother was able to pull the boy out, he was not breathing.
“Every second really counted in that moment,” said Adams. “I just started giving the baby CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). While I was giving the baby CPR, I was literally just crying and praying because everyone around me was screaming.”
She continued giving compressions until paramedics arrived and her swift action got the child breathing again.
Adams’ quick response was highlighted on CBS12 News, and according to Rutherford, that’s how they figured out about this local hero. From there the gears were turning on how they could help this woman. The Foundation learned more about Adams, and how she desired to go back to school to become a respiratory therapist.
“It’s about the work that she did, the commitment that she has, and honestly the faith that she has that drove her to do that,” said Rutherford. “We thought what a great opportunity to award her a scholarship fully paid for whatever degree in Health Sciences she wants to pursue so that she can continue that really lifelong service of caring for others.”
The scholarship is a chance to recognize the courage of a young woman who has spent most of her life caring for others. After losing her mother at the age of 9, Adams cared for her siblings and her grandmother who had a severe respiratory illness. That experience led her to dream of furthering her education to become a respiratory therapist or a licensed nurse. But as a single mom with a four-year-old daughter, she did not have the means.
“She has all the attributes of a potential leader in the healthcare field, and we look forward to welcoming her to our Panther family,” said Rutherford.
Adams tells CBS12 News that she had plans to go back to school, but was trying to figure out how she could afford it.
“I wasn’t expecting this moment to happen. I wasn’t expecting it. So I just want to say thanks. Thanks. Thanks, thanks. I cannot thank them enough. But I will thank them by showing them. I’m going to chase my dreams,” said Adams.
Jermya’s actions prove that a single act of kindness can change a life and inspire a community. She tells CBS12 News she plans to start school as soon as possible.
Thanks to her quick response, the boy is expected to make a full recovery.
West Palm Beach police and the Florida Department of Children and Families are investigating the incident, which is standard protocol.