Craig Daily Press

Craig — Moffat County High School students Blake Najera, Stephanie Balderston and Alex Villagrana had no idea what they would be doing when they went on their lunch break.

They wound up helping an elderly woman in dire need, an endeavor that earned them the recognition of Craig City Council members Tuesday.

The three students stopped at Najera’s house on Jeffcoat Drive on their way to lunch May 9. While Najera was inside, Balderston and Villagrana heard a cry for help coming from next door.

Najera’s neighbor, Ruth Smith, 89, was on her front porch, calling and motioning for assistance due to a pain in her leg.

“I was frantic,” Smith said. “I didn’t know what to do, and I just needed help.”

The two of them did not hesitate as they ran into Najera’s house to call 911.

“There was nobody else around,” Balderston said. “She probably would’ve been yelling for help for quite a while.”

After reporting the emergency, the three of them waited with Smith and comforted her until professional help arrived.

“It was kind of scary at first because I really didn’t know what to do,” Najera said. “I’m just glad we happened to be there and were able to help.”

Smith — who received pain medication for the kidney stone that caused the problem— thanked the teens.

“They were real nice,” she said. “I sure appreciate all their help.”

Chief of Police Walt Vanatta contacted them about receiving recognition and presented Balderston and Villagrana with certificates noting their efforts at the City Council meeting Tuesday. Najera — currently in Utah for the summer — was unable to attend the meeting.

“I really wish I could’ve been there,” he said.

Balderston said she and her friends were not worried about getting thanked while they were helping Smith.

“We wanted to make sure that she was OK, and then we just wanted to get back to school on time,” she said. “I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal until we were standing up there, and the members of the City Council gave us a standing ovation. It felt good, but I’ve always been raised by my parents to be a good citizen, and it’s important to help people when you get the chance.”

Villagrana said he “felt honored” at the meeting.

“It just seemed like the right thing for us to do,” he said.