COVINA, CA – Mesa Elementary School fifth-grader Raymond Chen put quick thinking and bravery into action during a life-threatening emergency in a swimming pool, helping save his mother, Jade Chen.

Raymond and his mother were swimming in their backyard pool when he heard her scream his name, saw her flail her arms, and begin sinking in the middle of the pool after experiencing a leg cramp. Raymond quickly swam toward her and pushed her to safety at the edge of the pool.

“I was very scared, but I thought of all the possibilities I could use to save my mom,” Raymond said. “I thought if I pulled her, I’d sink with her, so I pushed her to the edge instead. I was very relieved when she was ok.”

Raymond is a member of the Irwindale Swim Team, where he practices swimming Monday through Thursday. He has been on the team for three months and said he hopes to join one of Covina-Valley Unified’s high school swim teams when he is older.

“Raymond’s school has taught him to think critically, to be selfless, and to be brave enough to help others,” Jade said. “He would have reached out to anyone, even a stranger. He is a prime example of the success of his school education.”

At Mesa Elementary, Raymond is part of the Mandarin dual language immersion program, and his favorite subject is English, specifically grammar.

“All my teachers are very nice,” Raymond said. “I like being in the dual language immersion program because I get to learn a different language besides English and celebrate different holidays and cultures.”

For his bravery and quick thinking, Raymond was recently recognized by the City of Irwindale and Irwindale Police Department. He will also be recognized at the October 8 Covina-Valley Unified Board of Education meeting for his heroic actions.

“It’s amazing that Raymond was able to think quickly and critically in a moment of need,” Mesa Elementary Principal Julie Rehmer said. “It is truly an incredible feat, and we are very proud of him.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

CVUSD_CHEN: Mesa Elementary School fifth-grader Raymond Chen and his mother, Jade, smile. Raymond was recognized by the City of Irwindale and Irwindale Police Department for his quick thinking and bravery during a life-threatening emergency in a swimming pool.