Act of heroism leads to school sponsorship

Friday, Sep. 23, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — Cesar Galeana, a second-grade student at Kearns-Saint Ann School, has something to write about if he is assigned the traditional question of what he did this summer: He helped a toddler keep from drowning.

While walking by the community pool, Cesar saw a 2-year-old boy struggling and splashing. He had no second thoughts. With no one else nearby, Cesar ran to save toddler.

“I was worried. I thought he was going to die, so I ran and saved him,” said Cesar, who pulled the toddler out of the water, then went for help. “I opened the pool gate, got him out, set him on the ground and ran to the office to tell them he was drowning.”

According to the West Valley Police Department, the toddler’s parents were unaware that he had slipped away from them.

The event happened just weeks before the school year began.

The Galeanas are new to the Kearns-St. Ann School community; they are sponsored by an anonymous alumnus, said Anna Hill, admissions/advancement director. “It was kind of a pay-forward thing.” 

The sponsor called Hill and told her that he would like Cesar to have the same opportunities that he had, she said. “He told me, ‘Look what this child did; I want him to have the same opportunities that I had. I love Saint Ann,’” Hill said.

Cesar’s father, Marbel Garcia, described his son as very active and always very motivated. 

“I am very proud for what he did with the baby and because of that, many blessings have poured on us,” said Garcia, adding that many times it’s hard to share when you don’t have much, but  “when we can, we just need to  do it. We have to extend our hands to the ones in need even when there is not a lot to give. That might be a great blessing for others, and that’s part of our Catholic faith and values.”  

Hill said that when the family came to enroll at the school she could feel that they were a family that lives the Catholic faith.

“They have respect, love, their kindness, and Cesar is an excellent example for the kids. Their faith played a whole role in what he did,” Hill said.