Dear Editor,

Within each community can be found certain members who contribute to the well-be…

By Unsigned

Dear Editor,

Within each community can be found certain members who contribute to the well-being of society without any expectation of reward or recognition. I like to refer to these people as the unsung heroes. People who go above and beyond the call of duty to make someone’s day a little brighter. I have lived in the city of Kalona for quite some time now, and am aware of one such heroine in our very own town. Her name is Tiffany, and she is a lifeguard at the Kalona Pool. Tiffany does more than just save lives… she improves them. I am a mother of two young boys, both of which suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. In the three years that my boys have taken swimming lessons from the Kalona Pool, Tiffany is the only one who has been able to control their hyperactive behavior.

I am reminded of one particular occasion last summer, on which my son would not put his face in the water. Though he had performed this task many times before, on this particular day he refused to even get his head wet. After 15 minutes of his belligerence, when most teachers would have become upset or annoyed, Tiffany took it in stride. She quickly got out of the pool, walked over to her purse, and came back with a handful of nickels and dimes. She threw them in the pool and told everyone in the class to find one. Not even the youngest child can turn down money, and my son put his head under and retrieved a coin. What ingenuity on Tiffany’s part!

And recently, while at the Kalona Pool, I had the opportunity to witness Tiffany rescue a drowning victim from the deep end. It was amazing. She performed the entire rescue in a matter seconds, and didn’t even cause a commotion; she worked so quickly and calmly.

I don’t know how old Tiffany is, in fact, I’m not even sure of her last name, but I do know that every time I come to the pool she has a smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye and some friendly comment. She seems to love her job, and everyone seems to love her, especially the children. Even when she is off duty, it is not uncommon to see her in the water with the kids, playing games. Tiffany is a good role model for all of us, and she deserves to be recognized. Thank you for all you do, Tiffany. You’re a wonderful person.

Editor’s Note: Generally, the Kalona News does not print unsigned letters. However, in this case, Tiffany Curtis, recent graduate of Mid-Prairie High school and the daughter of Gary and Becky Curtis, M-P Middle School guidance counselor and music instructor, respectively, deserves the recognition.