Gary Job Corps cadet reaps honors for life-saving efforts

The Hays County Commissioners Court proclaimed Jan. 15, 2019, “Gary Job Corps Corrections Cadet Michael Lewis Day” to thank him for his lifesaving action in assisting a man who was seriously injured at Sights & Sounds of Christmas Dec. 5, 2018.

According to Chief Scott Raven with the San Marcos Fire Marshal Office Park Ranger Division, Lewis protected the man from the assailants who were chasing him, and then rendered emergency first aid. He was also able to give San Marcos Police Department officers a description of the men, who were later arrested.

From left to right Captain Preston Smith, Gary Job Corps Honor Guard Cadet Keith Pham-le, Michael Lewis’ aunt Elena Montero, Cadet Gregory Ramos, Mayor Jane Hughson, Michael Lewis’ mother Alicia Lewis, Cadet Michael Lewis, his father David Lewis, Gary Job Corps Safety and Security Administrator Craig Marks, Center Director Patricia Lankford, Michael Lewis’ uncle Charley Montero, Cadet Antonio Castillo, Gary Job Corps Student Council President Caleb Burrell and Cadet Derick McCoy pose for a photo with the proclamation declaring Jan. 15 “Gary Corrections Cadet Michael Lewis Day.”

Lewis used his training in security and first aid acquired at Gary Jobs Corp to help the man until EMTs could get to the scene and take him to the hospital.

The court commended Lewis for a job well done, and the audience gave him a standing ovation.

“Thank you so much,” Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said. “There aren’t many people who would do something like this, putting your own life in jeopardy to save this man’s life. We need more residents like you.”

Left to right: Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Gary Job Corps Capt. Preston Smith, Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Job Corps Corrections Cadets Steven Barbee, Paul Dunn, Henry Kenta, Clinton Alexander and Michael Lewis, Maj. Troy Oldbury, Chief Scott Raven, San Marcos Fire Marshal’s Office, Park Ranger Division; Elva Zdeb, Embassy Suites HR Director and Sights & Sounds Committee member; Gary Job Corps Safety & Security Administrator Craig Marks, Business Community Liaison Randolph Goodman, Pct. 1 Constable David Peterson, Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell, and Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith. Photo by Laureen Chernow/Hays County

Over the past five decades, Gary Job Corps cadets have assisted with numerous public service projects throughout Hays County, from assisting with security at events to helping with disaster debris cleanup.

Embassy Suites HR Director Elva Zdeb, president of the Gary Job Corps Community Relations Council and a member of Sights & Sounds Festival Committee, said, “We can’t do what we do without Gary Job Corps and the great students who work there. Cadet Lewis did a wonderful job that day, and we’re glad all our teams reacted so quickly.”