Tamsen Laine Lahnalampi, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On March 11, 2008, Tamsen Lahnalampi risked her life to rescue two people from a possible drowning, in San Jose, Costa Rica. While on March Break, a group of students had been warned not to go any further than knee-deep in the water, as the waves were extremely high that day. Despite the warning, two of the teenagers wandered out too far and were caught in the incredibly strong riptide. Someone alerted Ms. Lahnalampi, who immediately headed into the deep, dangerous water. Despite her strength as an able swimmer, Ms. Lahnalampi experienced great difficulty in keeping herself afloat, and found herself being pulled further and further away from shore. She persevered through the rough waters and, upon reaching her schoolmates, calmly encouraged them to follow her. Taking one of the victims by the wrist, she led them all safely back to shore.