Maya Gebala receives international heroism award

Maya Gebala, a 13-year-old survivor of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has been honored with the Youth Heroism Award by the U.S.-based Youth Peace and Justice Foundation. This marks the first time the foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, has presented the award to a recipient outside the United States.

Gebala was recognized for her courage during the February 10 attack, where she reportedly attempted to secure a school library door to protect other students. She was shot three times during the incident, in which Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people before taking her own life. Following a difficult recovery, Gebala was released from BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver last week.