Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Don-Chistopher Barnes being escorted by Prime Minister Bruce Golding shortly after being conferred with the Badge of Honour for Gallantry, yesterday, at the National Honours and Awards ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew. At right is a member of the Prime Minister's security detail. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Eight-year-old Don-Christopher Barnes and 13 year-old Joel Davidson forced hundreds of persons who attended the National Honours and Awards ceremony to their feet as they strutted along the red carpet to receive their awards yesterday.

The two were conferred with the Badge of Honour for Gallantry by Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall for saving the life of persons whom they rescued from the bottom of a swimming pool.

Don-Christopher exuded an air of confidence as he stepped proudly to the front of the National Indoor Sports Centre, at Independence Park, St. Andrew, to collect his award. But, he almost stopped in his tracks when the crowd stood and cheered him on.

Took the spotlight

The eight-year-old took the spotlight in August as The Gleaner first reported his bravery when he saved his friend from drowning on August 20. His bravery moved Prime Minister Bruce Golding to add him to the list of persons to have received awards, yesterday.

But, while young Joel's bravery was not heard of publicly until yesterday, the teenager basked in the spotlight when it was announced what he was being awarded for.

Very shy

He saved an 11-year-old girl from drowning on January 27. He was very shy when The Gleaner spoke with him after the ceremony.

"It is ok," he said when asked how he felt about the recognition. But his mother, Andrea Davidson, described the occasion as one of pride for her son.

"I am elated. I am so proud of him," she gushed with excitement. She said her son risked his life to save another.

She said when she heard of what he did she was very worried because he is an epileptic child and could have got into difficulty while carrying out his rescue mission.

But for Joel, his own safety was the least of his concerns. When asked why he risked his life for her, he just shrugged and said, "She is my friend."

Mrs. Davidson said since then the young girl and her son have become very close friends.

Joel Davidson accepts his Badge of Honour for Gallantry from Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall. Joel was conferred with the award for saving the life of an 11-year-old girl by rescuing her from the bottom of a swimming pool.

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dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com