DUBUQUE (KWWL) -
At the 10th annual Red Cross Everyday Heroes of the Tri-States awards ceremony Tuesday, 16 people received recognition.
Their award-winning feats ranged from life-saving to life-changing, everybody from teachers and first responders to community volunteers and people who took quick action to avert disaster.
Kris Agena got one of this year's awards, after saving her co-worker's life. Agena is the athletic training clinical education coordinator and instructor at Luther College in Decorah. When her coworker Tracy Hjelle collapsed after a sudden and rare heart condition took hold, Agena, along with two students, helped administer CPR, utilize an automated external defibrillator (AED) and get Hjelle into the hands of medical professionals. The quick maneuvers saved Hjelle's life.
"You never know when a situation's going to come about that you're going to need to assist somebody," Agena said. "First aid, saving their life, utilizing CPR, needing an AED. You know, I'm really encouraging individuals to take those courses."
She also encouraged local churches, businesses and schools to invest in AEDs, which can be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
The following individuals won the following awards:
ADULT GOOD SAMARITAN
Kris Agena
Darryl Brink
Justin Hager
Walker Hovey
Shari Huber
Kelsey Kittleson Millonig
Janet Schroeder
Keith Schroeder
Scott Taylor
EDUCATION
Judi Simon
FIRE AND RESCUE
Steve Vanden Brink
HEALTH CARE
Sherry Kritz
Joel Reicks
INDUSTRIAL/WORKPLACE SAFETY
Joe Hearn
VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mike Breitbach
YOUTH GOOD SAMARITAN
Alex Wehrspann
KWWL's Ron Steele emceed the event with his former KWWL co-anchor Bobbi Earles, who now works at Loras College in Dubuque.
