The quick and decisive action of the rookie safety patroller was recognized last Friday when she was presented with the CAA School Safety Patroller of the Year Award at a children's camp in Oshawa.

Daughter of Lisa and Brian Blenkharn of Freelton, Elizabeth was a Grade 5 student at the Millgrove school when she was called upon to demonstrate her first aid skills. "I learned a bit of it (first aid) from common sense and also from a couple of camps I attend," she told the Review last week.

She also explained that first aid training is part of the swimming lesson program at Dundas Community Pool that she has been attending for the past few years.

Elizabeth, who will be attending Grade 6 at Spencer Valley Public School in Greensville in September, said she was happy to provide aid to an injured person. "I found out two days later that he had to have three stitches" to close the head wound, she said of the young student who sustained the cut.

Apart from receiving an individual plaque from CAA South Central Ontario and the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), Elizabeth had her name engraved on a trophy, won $500 and a five-day stay at Camp Samac in Oshawa. About 150 safety patrollers joined her for a week of activities at the camp. "It was great fun," Elizabeth reported.

Asked how she felt about receiving the award, she said, "I felt very special and greatly appreciated. I had interviews with television, a lot of pictures taken and lots of good comments about winning the award."

While she hasn't decided how to spend the cash prize, Elizabeth said she'll definitely donate $50 to McMaster's Children's Hospital in Hamilton.

Her parents were on hand at last week's award presentation. Representing the HPS was Cst. Sheri Nelson, community service officer.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel and emergency road services. The club also works with police and school boards to provide programs for more than 25,000 school safety patrollers across South Central Ontario.