BATON ROUGE, La. (WNTZ) – Gov. Jeff Landry awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the highest civilian honor in Louisiana, to Emma Foltz, a Louisiana Tech University senior who helped save 14 campers during the devastating flash floods in Texas earlier this month.

The award was presented during a press conference held Wednesday morning in Baton Rouge. Foltz, an Alexandria native and Phi Mu sorority member, was serving as a third-year counselor at Camp

Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, when floodwaters swept through the area in the early hours of July 4.

“I had 14 sweet, little campers,” Foltz said during the ceremony. “Once we found out the news of what was happening, our main focus was keeping our girls entertained, safe, and healthy.”

Landry praised Foltz’s composure under pressure and her ability to prevent panic during the crisis.

“I think the key point in what she did was – she was able to dig in and keep the people who they were responsible for calm,” said Landry. “The biggest danger we face in this room is panic. What we do in this building is, try to make sure that those who are having problems have the assets necessary, so, we keep our people from panicking. The more prepared you are, the safer you will be; communication is key to that.”

A soldier with the Louisiana National Guard read the official medal citation, which described Foltz’s actions as “exceptionally heroic civilian service” that “exemplifies the harmony values of duty, civil service, and personal courage.”

“This may be the first time we’ve ever given this medal,” Landry noted.

Major General Thomas C. Friloux, Adjutant General of Louisiana, commended Foltz not only for her quick thinking and leadership, but also for bringing credit to the City of Alexandria and the State of Louisiana.

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