Meet Lifeguard Garrett Lerner

Garrett Lerner is enjoying a memorable and busy few months. In April and May, he helped the Summit High School varsity baseball team earn its most successful season since 1998. On June 23, the 18-year-old moved his graduation cap tassel from the right side to the left and received his high school diploma. For the remainder of the summer, you can find Lerner lifeguarding at the Summit Family Aquatic Center.

While in school at Summit High, Lerner was a member of both the baseball and swimming teams. He was starting catcher on the varsity baseball team this past spring, and was instrumental in the Hilltoppers' advancement to the State Sectional Semifinals and season record of 17-10.

Lerner will continue his education this fall at Penn State University Park. If you consider that he's fresh out of high school, Lerner is perhaps farther along in terms of planning future pursuits than most rising college freshman.

"I plan to major in Public Relations," Lerner said. "I may try to enter the Business School and see where that takes me."

Lerner has lifeguarded at the Summit Family Aquatic Center for four summers. He received his lifeguard certification at the Summit YMCA and his recertification with the Summit Red Cross. In his four years on the job, Lerner has relied on his training and expertise on a number of occasions.

"A few times I've had to jump into the baby pool and help a child whose parents accidently left him or her unattended," Lerner said. "In the big pool, I had a save in which a girl hurt herself with her goggles, so I had to jump in and help her. I also have to perform occasional first aid."

Lerner explained what originally prompted him to become a lifeguard for the Summit community pool.

"I used to always hang out at the pool, so I decided that I might as well get paid for being there," Lerner said. "It is one of the few summer jobs where you can be out in the sun with your friends."

Although he has had an offer to lifeguard at a private club, Lerner chose to remain at the SFAC, where he cites taking out the garbage and rearranging chairs as part of his daily duties. When asked to describe his favorite aspect of working at the SFAC, Lerner (and several of his fellow lifeguards) said it was the annual lifeguard parties at the end of the summer.

When Lerner isn't lifeguarding at the SFAC this summer, he plans to hang out with his friends and play baseball. You might also find him at one of his two favorite Summit restaurants, Summit Thai or Village Trattoria.

"This summer, I'll also go on a Penn State camping trip and go to Long Beach Island to surf and stay at my friend's house," Lerner added.

Stay tuned to Patch this summer for more profiles of SFAC senior lifeguards.