106th Fire Academy Graduates at Crafton Hills College Recognized for Hard Work, Tenacity
Publish Date: July 24, 2022
After 18 weeks of grueling training and coursework, Crafton Hills College’s 106th Fire Academy graduates were recognized during a graduation ceremony inside the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center on May 20.
Twenty-eight graduates made up this round of cadets, all of whom varied in ages and backgrounds and included one woman cadet.
When it came to sharing a few words about the 106th Class, Academy Chief Mike Alder looked to keep it brief, but also wanted his remarks to come from the heart, leaving grads and those in attendance with what he liked to call “The Big Four” – remember the importance of your immediate and fire families; remain humble and nice; always be optimistic and have a positive attitude; and have vision and be demanding.
“Understanding and living these principles as a public servant is how you can leave the place better than you found it,” he said. “(This) is the greatest job in the world, and you are all better people than you were four months ago. We wish you all the best.”
Tradition and honor were key highlights of the hour-long ceremony, from a moment of silence for fallen military personnel and first responders to a plaque presentation celebrating the group’s accomplishments.
The 106th class started out with 28 cadets and ended with 28, Alder said, all thanks to the support of academy staff and its five squad leaders, Branden Christensen, Andrew Shade, Indiana Palmer, Ryan Lopez and Andrew Martinez.
To highlight the training that went in to help mold this crop of cadets, a video by Lopez played inside the PAC with an inspiring sermon and music to complement its visuals.
When it was his time to address the class, Shade spoke about the hard work that went in to becoming a program success story, remarking that he went in with more confidence than he truly had and joked he had to “fake it” until he made it. Shade also talked briefly about the long hours away from home and the importance of supporting one another.
“There was a 22-year age gap from oldest to youngest,” he said. “But the one thing we had in common was every one of us had no idea what we were doing..., and if you faked it too well, you might have to end up giving a graduation speech.”
Each cadet was personally recognized by staff before and during the celebration. As each cadet’s name was read out loud, so were their nicknames, some of which got a few laughs from those in the audience. Many were also given individual scholarships and honors during the ceremony, including awards for Most Inspirational Cadet – Jaden Teel – and Highest Academic Achievement and the Instructor Award, which went to Shade.
Before cadets were released to mingle with friends and family, Academy leaders held one last dismissal ceremony – “All fight. No quit!” shouted the cadets in chorus before throwing their hats into the air.
