Hero, age 10, takes a bow
Published: December 22, 2005
It’s official - Cub Scout Nicholas Kulikowski, 10, is a hero and has the pin to prove it.
Nicholas, who rescued his 4-year-old cousin Dylan Taback from drowning in the Kulikowski swimming pool last year, had his moment to bask in adult praise Dec. 19.
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith honored the fifth-grade student with a special heroic pin and an executive citation.
“He (Nicholas) was alert and he knew what to do,” Smith said.
“He looked at the situation, recognized what he had to do and did it quickly.”
Nicholas recalled the urgency he felt that day.
“I was thinking in my head that I needed to do something fast,” the boy said.
“Your brave and selfless efforts surely saved his life,” Smith told the boy.
The incident occurred while a relative’s birthday party was going on inside. Nicholas was outdoors and spotted his cousin floundering in the pool.
He jumped in and pulled the younger boy out of the pool. Neither was injured.
Nicholas’ parents said their son learned the importance of responsibility from their tutelage and his experience in the Cub Scouts.
They said they were not surprised he knew how to take quick action.
Kulikowski attends St. Clement Mary Hofbauer School in Rosedale. Smith came to the school to make the presentation.
State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier of the 8th District provided a letter of recognition from the Senate acknowledging Nicholas’ achievements.
The Central Maryland Boy Scouts also have honored the boy.
Smith said Nicholas may be the youngest award winner of the “hero pin” given out by the County Executive and on behalf of Baltimore County.
More typically, those who win it are firefighters or police, he said.
Smith used the opportunity to hand out pamphlets on dealing with emergency situations.
“The best way to deal with the unexpected is to be prepared,” Smith said. “You can’t wait until the emergency hits.”
Klausmeier summed up her reaction to Nicholas’ bravery in one word: “Wow.”
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