As the force of the tornado tore through the hall where 17-year-old Courtney Loose was told to take cover, botany teacher Shannon Bridges wrapped her arms around her and another student, shielding them from the debris. While Shannon didn't give a second thought to risking her own life for her students, the five-months pregnant hero also risked the life of her unborn child. "My instinct was not me or the baby, the girls were scared and you do everything you can for the kids," she says.

While she saved Courtney's life, Shannon couldn't shield her from all of the debris, and Courtney's leg was pinned under the rubble with an open leg wound that cut down to the bone. Out of the darkness, 17-year-old Felix Pardo-Rivera managed to free her and then helped a teacher treat her wounds. After three surgeries, Courtney's leg is recovering with no major nerve or muscle damage. Shannon suffered seven broken ribs, a broken collar bone, two collapsed lungs and spinal injuries. Miraculously, her unborn son was unharmed.