At just 11-years-old, a North Texas girl is being honored with one of the hardest awards to get, the Girl Scout's Medal of Honor.

What she learned in Girl Scouts is being credited for helping her during a serious family emergency.

"On my honor, I will try to help people at all times," is the pledge Girl Scouts make. Peyton Nairon followed through with that pledge while boogie boarding on a family vacation.

"I saw something floating in the water and then realized it was him," she said.

"Him" was her father, who was drowning after hitting the ocean's bottom.

"I remember rolling around in the surf totally paralyzed," said Baxter Nairon, Peyton's father.

Peyton stepped in and dragged her 6'3, 250 pound father to shore at Laguna Beach.

"I heard Peyton screaming," said Liz Nairon, Peyton's mother. "She was cradling her dad, who is a big guy; and all I could see is blood."

Since the accident, Mr. Nairon has endured neck, nose and spinal surgeries.

"I think a lot more about how grateful I am to have such wonderful friends and family," said Mr. Nairon, who returned back to work Monday.

Peyton's quick thinking earned her the elusive Girl Scout medal for saving a life.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her," Mr. Nairon said.

But Peyton said she wasn't alone when she helped her father.

"I think somebody else was there, and it helped me," she said of her faith.