Ripple Effect
A life can change in an instant. This has certainly proven to be the case for senior Alex Lipe. He has had the duty of changing and saving not one, but two lives in two consecutive years.
Lipe works as a lifeguard at Lake Nixon where kindergarteners through fifth graders attend camp throughout the summer. “I love working with kids. I even tell people that start to work there that I would volunteer if I had to.” However, his view has changed since he first began lifeguarding. “I started working at first because I was only interested in the money, but I later found out that I just love working with children.”
Two years ago as a junior, Lipe saved his first life. “There was a little kid who began to drown. He had slipped off into the deep water and I jumped in, grabbed him, and took him back to shore.”
Mount St. Mary senior Baily Pearson, who has worked with Lipe for the past two summers, witnessed the save. “It was a very quick save,” she said. “The boy wasn’t even in Alex’s guarding area which showed he was on top of things.” According to Pearson, Lipe is a great co-worker. “He takes his job very seriously and is very nice and funny to us all. He really connects with the kids and they all love him.”
Lipe also saved a life this past summer. “A boy was drowning after going off the diving board. He lost his shoe and in panic, he swallowed a lot of water. So I jumped and scooped him up. My heart was racing, but not like the first because I knew what it felt like. It was also my last shift of the day so I wasn’t expecting anything special.”
Zac Griffith, another co-worker and good friend of Lipe, was a witness to this save. “His save was majestic. Without Alex the kid would have drowned. It was actually really cool and it really made me pay attention more because I want to save someone.” Griffith said that Lipe taught him everything he knows which has helped him in his lone year of lifeguarding.
Lipe said he felt incredible after saving both lives. “I spoke to the parents after both rescues and the amount of times they said thank you just made me feel great.”
Outside of lifeguarding, Lipe also teaches a swim class. “In the mornings, I teach kids how to swim. I teach them how to tread water, hold their breath, and just regular distance swimming. I occasionally teach them how to dive if they really want to know.” Lipe said he lifeguards because he loves the water, and most pools give memberships to workers.
After high school Lipe plans on going to nursing school in Arkansas before going to medical school. His career path, however, wasn’t chosen without a little help. “My mom is in the medical field and my aunt is a doctor. Also, the thought of helping others inspired me to take the medical route.”
Lifeguarding is a difficult task and according to Lipe, it takes only one important characteristic to be a good lifeguard. “The only thing it truly takes is caring. If you care about the people, everything you do will work out.”
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