St. George » When Lulu Beltran saw the car heading toward a student at Dixie Downs Elementary School, she pulled her out of the way, probably saving her life.
On Thursday the 10-year-old crossing guard at the St. George school was honored at an assembly.
On May 17 she and her mother will fly back to Washington, D.C., to be awarded the AAA Safety Patrol Lifesaver Medal.
Lulu is one of just five elementary students from around the country to receive the award from AAA this year and one of only 387 to receive the medal since the program began in 1949.
"It feels weird to think about what happened," Beltran said.
The incident took place last Dec. 17, when Lulu, dressed in her vest and holding a stop sign, was helping kids walk past the exit of the school parking lot parents use to pick up students.
"I saw a green car coming with the driver drinking water and talking on a cell phone," Lulu said. "When I realized the car was coming closer I pulled the girl backward by her hoody."
Lulu said the girl she saved was upset at her for pulling her hoody.
She never saw the girl well enough to recognize again, but said she was probably a first-or second-grader.
Michael Carr, the school's safety patrol adviser, nominated Lulu for the AAA award.
He said after the incident Lulu visited him in the office and explained what happened.
"She was a bit distraught and didn't want to do the work anymore because it was too scary," Carr said. "She responded quickly."
At Thursday's assembly, Lulu received a travel bag from Clint Hubler a spokesman for AAA at the assembly.
In the bag were travel books and maps of the nation's capital.
"This is a life-changing opportunity for her," Hubler said.
St. George Police Capt. Rich Farnsworth awarded Lulu a certificate for her bravery and fast thinking.
Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith awarded the girl a certificate for outstanding safety achievement and a box containing law-enforcement pins in a green velvet box.
Lulu, who is back on the job, said she wants to visit the memorials along the mall in Washington.
Her mother, Maria and father, Hector, were all smiles at Thursday's presentations.
"We are very proud of her," said her father.
