A
Letter of Thanks to Smith's Heroes
Karen Axelrod with her dog Java (not the dog she chased
onto Paradise Pond). |
Karen Axelrod, of Northampton,
was terrified recently when she on Paradise Pond into deep, frigid water while chasing
a dog. To her fortune, she was quickly helped out of the
icy pond by Jose Cartagena and Kristen Nickl, members of
the physical plant, who happened to be nearby.
Axelrod recently wrote this
letter to the college in thanks for Cartagena's and Nickl's
heroic deed:
I’m writing because
I think that your two Smith employees, Kristen Nickl and
Jose Cartagena, deserve (along with my gratitude and thanks)
a ton of praise, a few days off, and a million-dollar raise.
Okay--I know the raise probably can’t happen. But
really, I feel like Kristen and Jose played a big part in
saving my life.
Last Tuesday [Jan. 15], I ended
up in Paradise Pond, in water over my head, hanging onto
ice after I attempted to rescue a dog. Perhaps a very
dumb move on my part. It was reported that the water was
waist-deep. It
wasn't. It was over my head, and I was absolutely terrified.
But Kristen and Jose heard my cries for help, came quickly
and helped rescue me. I have personally thanked them. But,
I also want Smith College to know the important role they
played in helping me.
I suspect that the city of Northampton
and Smith College might not be celebrating Saint Kristen
and Saint Jose day. But, every January 15, I will be.
Please be good to these wonderful
employees of yours. I feel like I owe them my life.
Thanks,
Karen Axelrod |
