SASKATOON — A Saskatoon educator who helped save a student during a 2024 Evan Hardy Collegiate attack, during which one student set another one on fire, has been awarded a Carnegie Medal for Heroism.
Saskatoon Public Schools asid they are proud of Sean Hayes being one of the 18 recipients of the medal, presented by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
The commission, founded by the well-known 19th-century philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, said it recognizes individuals “who perform acts of heroism in civilian life in the United States and Canada.”
"All the men and women recognized today risked serious injury or death, or were killed, saving or attempting to save others in acts of extraordinary heroism," the commission said in a statement.
The 33-year-old Hayes and Sadia Khan of Ottawa were the only two Canadians, while the rest were from the U.S., including 10-year-old Major Metzger, who prevented a six-year-old boy from falling about 16 feet.
In a statement, SPS said learning that Hayes was recognized for his extraordinary courage is a proud moment for everyone in the province.
Hayes, during a tragic incident at Evan Hardy Collegiate during the early days of the school year in September 2024, acted quickly in helping a student who was set on fire by her classmate. The student, who was only 15 at the time, was approached by her classmate, who doused her with what was later found to be flammable liquid and used a lighter to set her on fire.
The flames quickly spread over the girl’s head and body. Hayes saw what transpired, as the attack happened in the hallway, and rushed to the girl’s aid, trying to put out the flames with his hands. The flames spread to his hands and clothes, and another staff member helped him put them out. Once clear of the fire, Hayes used a fire extinguisher to put out spots of fire in the hallway.
SPS said that the incident was a terrible day for the school division, but Hayes’s act of bravery, putting his own safety at risk to help a student in need, speaks to what kind of person he is.
“He is, without question, a hero, and we are forever grateful for his actions. His quick thinking and selflessness may well have saved a young person’s life,” added the SPS statement, since even before the incident, Hayes had already been making a difference in the lives of students in the schools where he was assigned.
“What stands out just as much is that this recognition simply affirms what so many in our school division already knew. Through his care, his ability to build strong connections and his deep commitment to his work, he positively impacts students every day,” said SPS of Hayes, who is now Tommy Douglas Collegiate’s vice-principal.
SPS wished Hayes success in his new position and added that the school division knows that, whatever role he takes, he will continue to inspire and support students and other staff.
The student who set her classmate on fire was sentenced to the maximum three-year youth sentence, including custody and treatment, under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
