Ocala teen earns high level recognition

Christina Hernandez visits her grandfather, Alfred Montemayor, in a hospital after she made a 9-1-1 call that helped save his life, which earned her the Girl Scout National Lifesaving Medal of Honor. [Photo courtesy Debra Hernandez]

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Posted May 11, 2026 | By Harriet Daniels, Special to the Gazette

In December 2024, Christina Hernandez was excited to see her beloved grandfather on a family trip to California. However, several hours after arriving, it would be Christina who recognized that her grandpa, who is diabetic, was having a medical emergency and called 9-1-1.

The effort saved his life.

Paramedics on the scene discovered his blood glucose level was beyond what their instruments could measure and he was about to go into a diabetic coma had it not been for Christina’s presence of mind that something was wrong. The teen recalls her grandfather’s face began to droop slightly on one side and his hand was holding his cards oddly.

“I thought he might have been having a stroke,” Christina said. “We were playing cards and he was trying to talk to us, but it was coming out funny. And then he wanted to go lie down, but I would not let him.”

Christina, 18, was recently awarded the Girl Scout National Lifesaving Medal of Honor for her fast-thinking actions that day to save a life. The Ocala native and graduating senior of West Port High School is the recipient of one of the highest achievements in Girl Scouting.

The Lifesaving Medal of Honor was presented to Christina in late April by Mary Pat King, CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, based in Tampa.

“Christina demonstrated extraordinary awareness and bravery in a critical moment,” King said. “Her actions reflect the very best of what it means to be a Girl Scout — prepared, compassionate and ready to lead.”

In the award letter addressed to Christina, Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, wrote, “Through your willingness to take decisive action in the midst of an emergency, you have not only attempted to save a life but also served as an example for all Girl Scouts. I commend you for your heroism and quick thinking.”

The Girl Scout National Lifesaving Medal of Honor, affixed to a red ribbon, is to be worn on the Girl Scouts insignia sash or on Christina’s vest below the membership stars. Christina joined Girl Scouts at age 8; first as a Brownie, later as a Junior in middle school and now as a Cadette in high school. She is a member of local Troop #43601.

In that critical moment in California, Christina said the only thing that mattered was making sure her grandpa was okay.

Her grandfather, Alfred Montemayor, 75, spent a week in the hospital and has since made a full recovery and is at home in Desert Hot Springs.

“I talk to him every day after school to check on him. Sometimes he’ll forget the time difference and call me while I am at school,” Christina said with a giggle. “But I always make sure he’s taken his medication and that he’s checking his levels.”

Christina is the youngest grandchild of the family and affectionally calls her maternal grandfather “Grandpa Al.” The two share a special bond and the magnitude of his condition hit her later, along with the emotions of potentially losing him.

“I am honored to be a recipient of this award, but what is more important to me is that I helped my grandpa because he means a lot to me,” she said.

Christina is the daughter of James and Debra Hernandez. Her older sister Sophia is a West Port alum and recently graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Debra Hernandez reflected on how scared they were during the episode because she initially thought her dad was just being funny, “because he’s a big jokester.”

“It was not until later that we realized in his excitement of us flying out to visit, he had not taken his medication,” she said. “I ran to the store, and he started feeling bad and told Christina he would go to the hospital the next day. But she insisted we needed to call 9-1-1.”

Christina admits only knowing a little bit about diabetes before her grandfather’s crisis and said she was not aware of how serious the illness is and now wants to help others be better informed.

Her mom said this has sparked Christina’s commitment to helping others by spreading awareness about diabetes.

“It’s why she agreed to share her story when her troop leader asked to submit her for the Medal of Honor award,” Hernandez said. “We are so proud of her.”

Toni Knowles, leader of Troop #43601, does not know of any other Girl Scout in Marion County who received the National Lifesaving Medal of Honor. Knowles has been a part of the Girl Scout organization for 25 years and represents the Joining Rivers Service Unit.

“It’s rare in all of Girl Scouts,” Knowles said. “And we’ve had three in our council this year and that’s rare too.”

Knowles has known Christina since she joined as a Brownie in second grade. Knowles urged Christina to apply for the Medal of Honor after she heard about her actions during her grandfather’s medical emergency.

“I can see how much she has grown from when she first started in Girl Scouts. She was shy, quiet and to herself. Now she is able to lead the girls; she knows how to talk to them and relate to them and they look up to her. She’s a leader,” Knowles said.

The Girl Scout troop leaders in the local region also recognized Christina during a recent meeting. The group also paid for her Girl Scout Life Membership.

A final project for Christina will be completing her submission for the Girl Scout Gold Award application. She is currently working with a registered nurse to research diabetes and has the help of other Girl Scouts for her submission titled, “Insulin Insight Project.”

“I hope this allows her other opportunities to spread awareness,” Hernandez said.

After graduation in a few weeks, Christina plans to attend the College of Central Florida as an art major. While she describes herself as a traditional artist, with several exhibits in her portfolio, she said she hopes to use her artistic talent as an animator.

As a newly minted Life Member of Girl Scouts, she is not sure what the future will hold but knows she will be a short call away if her troop leader needs an extra set of hands.

To learn more, go to more about Girl Scouting in the region, go to the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida website at gswcf.org