NVCC teen honored at State Capitol

WATERBURY, Conn. (April 24, 2008) – The three teens who saved a 3-year old boy from drowning in a pool in Florida last month were honored at the state Capitol by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Sen. Rob Kane, R-Watertown, on Wednesday, April 23.

Christopher Capowich, 19, Josh Woodin, 18, and Elliot Woodin, 19, all of Bethlehem, were commended by Rell for “demonstrating bravery, quick thinking and calm composure while saving the life of William Garcia.”

“I don’t do a lot of the personal privilege here,” said Kane during the Senate session, “but I thought what better way than to honor true heroes, especially given their age group.” Kane introduced the boys to the Senate and then escorted them up to the Governor’s Office for her personal offering of congratulations.

Joshua Woodin pulled Garcia from the pool and Capowich is credited with performing CPR until the paramedics arrived. The boys said they heard screaming from a distance, and ran to find the boy face down in the deep end.

“Christopher displayed exceptional strength while performing CPR, and is deserving of our recognition,” said Rell. “I am truly humbled to thank Christopher for his assistance in saving a life…it is an honor to join with his family and friends in recognizing his brave actions.” Rell also congratulated the Woodin brothers and thanked their families, who were in attendance.

Christopher said that he learned some CPR from his father, Connecticut State Police Trooper Ed Capowich, and in school. “I am so pleased and so proud,” said his mother Donna. “He is very shy about it. He doesn’t understand why it’s such a big deal.”

The three boys are expected to receive a lifesaving award from the state of Florida. Christopher Capowich is a criminal justice student at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Elliot Woodin is a carpenter for Ken Frey Construction. Joshua Woodin is a full-time film student at Full Sail University, Fla.