Teen hero honored by Spirit of Youth

WASILLA — Anthony Keller woke up the morning of Oct. 2, 2011, a normal 15-year-old high school sophomore. By the end of the day, he was hailed as a hero for saving a 5-year-old girl who stopped breathing after falling into a hot tub.

Keller learned CPR last summer through the Knik Tribal Council and used those newly learned skills when he heard the words that changed his life, and that of little Taylia Hardy.

“Does anyone know CPR?”

Trying to retrieve a ball, Hardy fell to the bottom of a hot tub at the Quality Inn in Kenai, and was pulled out by a family friend. When Keller heard those words, he stepped up and used CPR to revive the girl, who has since fully recovered.

Since news of Keller’s actions broke, the teen has been honored by the city of Wasilla with a mayoral proclamation and given a key to the city. But the kudos haven’t stopped there. The former Wasilla and Burchell high school student is one of two youths who will be honored next month at the annual Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet in Anchorage for their lifesaving efforts.

Keller and student emergency technicians from Healy will be among the honorees March 24.

Keller has also been nominated to be recognized at the 13th annual American Red Cross of Alaska Real Heroes Breakfast set for April 24. Keller has since moved to Michigan and attends high school there, but said by email that the last few months since saving Hardy have been a whirlwind.

“The way it has affected me in the last months … is that I’m, like, prepared and ready for anything,” he said. “I am thankful for all this opportunity and everyone doing this for me! I just am speechless on it, like, I never thought everyone would be honoring me!”

Along with being recognized by the city, Keller also received a grateful hug from Hardy and her mother, Cassie Nix, who called the teen her “hero” for his actions.

“Saying thank you seems so stupid, there’s nothing I can say,” Nix said following the accident. “You can’t put it into words. Of course, of course he’s my hero. He saved my baby’s life.”

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

What: Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet

When: March 24

Where: Anchorage Marriott Downtown

Cost: $35 for students, $50 for adults

Tickets: Available online atspritofyouth.org