Classmates spell ‘Hero’ to honor Miami teen who drowned saving woman and child

Students at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami assembled at the school's football field and formed the word "Hero" to honor Cristian Burgos, WPLG reported.

Burgos, 17, a senior at the high school, died Wednesday, two days after rescuing the boy, who tried to swim to his 25-year-old mother in the waters off Virginia Key, WSVN reported. Burgos was caught in a rip current and had to be pulled to shore, according to WPLG.

"He was able to save the lives of two people while putting his own life at stake," Washington High School Principal William Aristide told WSVN. "No other better way to describe him other than the word 'Hero.'"

School administrators gave Burgos' mother a plaque Thursday, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced a $20,000 scholarship in the high school senior's honor, WPLG reported.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Burgos' family. More than $39,000 has been raised.