Jonathan Dixon, 11, of East Jordan holds the "SheriffÕs Citizen Life Saving"award that was presented to him at school on Sept. 17. With him are his grandmother, Nancy Dixon, (left) and his mother, Amber Dixon (right). On Aug. 3, Jonathan rescued Chasyn Vondran, 5, who had stepped into a sink hole while swimming at the Eveline Township beach. Photo by B.J. Hetler

Jonathan, who lives in East Jordan with his family, was visiting the Eveline Township beach on Aug. 3, when he saw Chasyn Vondran in trouble in the water. The boy had stepped into a sink hole while swimming and needed help. Jonathan immediately ran to the area and rescued Chasyn.

"It's automatic with him to help out," his grandmother Nancy Dixon said.

Jonathan received the county "Sheriff's Citizen Life Saving" award from Sheriff George T. Lasater on Sept. 17 at East Jordan Public Schools. The sheriff waited to present the award when school had commenced so that Jonathan's classmates could be a part of the ceremony.

The entire fifth-grade class, parents and others attended and cheered for the hero.

But Jonathan seemed to take it all in stride.

"He's been really quiet about it," his mother Amber Dixon said. "He's proud of himself, but it's like what's the big deal?" Amber said she didn't even find out that her son rescued someone until the day after it occurred.

East Jordan Elementary School principal, Cal Prins, spoke about Jonathan following the award ceremony.

"He's very humble, like it isn't a big thing," Prins said and added that Jonathan's classmates are very supportive and excited for him.

"Even fifth-graders can make a difference. This was an example of caring for each other and taking responsibility," Prins said.