TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area Girl Scout who recently received the top lifesaving award given by the Girl Scouts of the USA credits training during a troop meeting with giving her the skills and courage to help her father during a medical emergency.
What You Need To Know
10-year-old Maggie Lewandowski put lessons learned to use in real life when her father, Greg, suffered a stroke
Maggie took control, putting into action what she had learned just weeks earlier. She stayed calm, called 911 and got her father some water
After his stroke, Greg stayed in the hospital for a week. He credits the Girl Scouts for making his recovery possible
Maggie’s quick thinking earned her the National Girl Scout Medal of Honor
“Most of the stuff that I remember learning is, no matter what the emergency is, just stay calm,” said Maggie Lewandowski as she recalled training for her first-aid badge.
The then 10-year-old put those lessons to use in real life when her father, Greg, suffered a stroke in June 2024.
“I was just sleeping in my bed and I just woke up in my bed to my dad just calling my name,” said Maggie.
“I just woke up, got out of bed and just collapsed,” said Greg. “Just fell to the floor, lost the ability to control my body and walk.”
Maggie took control, putting into action what she had learned just weeks earlier. She stayed calm, called 911 and got her father some water.
“I was scared and she was there for me when I needed it,” said Greg. “So, it was just, I can’t even say I was proud of her at the moment. I was just surprised that the girl that I take care of was taking care of me.”
Maggie Lewandowski and her father, Greg at awards ceremony (Girl Scouts of USA)
After his stroke, he stayed in the hospital for a week. He credits the Girl Scouts for making that recovery possible.
Maggie’s troop leader, Julie Cortes, was instrumental in encouraging the Council to explore the first-aid badge.
“I just kept thinking like, how crazy. This is the very last badge that we taught and the things that we were emphasizing and immediately she was putting it to use,” Cortes said. “Honestly, it gives me goosebumps.”
Maggie’s quick thinking earned her the National Girl Scout Medal of Honor. It’s the top life-saving award given by the Scouts and out of one million nationwide, Maggie is one of only 24 scouts who received the honor. It was awarded to her in October.
Dad is of course, extremely proud.
“She’s incredibly deserving of it. She’s the most disciplined and responsible and kind person that I know,” he said. “And just for her to receive that award for her hard work for saving her father, yeah, I couldn’t be more delighted to see that happen.”
“It was a scary day, we didn’t know what was happening but I just feel like I handled the situation really good,” said Maggie.