Crafton’s Paramedic Class #96 Recognized at First In-Person Ceremony of 2022 Graduation Season
Publish Date: July 24, 2022
After being canceled twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person ceremony honoring Crafton Hills College’s Paramedic Class #96 was held on May 6.
The Finkelstein Performing Arts Center at the Yucaipa college served as the backdrop for the event, which was attended by dozens of family, friends and program supporters. It also kicked off Crafton’s 2022 graduation season.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said Amanda Ward, director of the paramedic program, to the graduates. “I just want to say thank you for the amount of patience and trust over the last year that you have spent with us.”
Program grads faced many obstacles during their course load, from the unknown to having to spend 8-plus hours a day attending classes held via Zoom after in-person learning shifted online due to the pandemic. They also had to navigate a new world of care following the rise in COVID-19-related cases, all while completing between 600 and 720 hours of hands-on field work -- with help from program preceptors.
“I sit and listen to people who are worried about our craft, but I’m not scared at all. There’s nothing more challenging than what you just went through. You have this on lock,” Ward said.
The ceremony featured remarks by Crafton staff and alumni, including guest speaker Jeff Kelsheimer, a program alumnus and current fire captain/paramedic for the Palm Springs Fire Department. Class #96 presented a plaque honoring their accomplishments that will join others hanging in program headquarters from previous classes. Awards and individual recognitions were also an exciting highlight, as was a student address by James Shin, acting president of the graduating class and the newest member of the Palm Springs Fire Department.
“We are proud of the graduates of this fine program,” he said. “Don’t forget where you came from. This is only the beginning. We are still students of the craft.”
“Embrace opportunities to give back. Think of how many people helped us, shaped us, encouraged us,” Shin continued. “Be a good steward. You’ll be trusted with a lot of responsibilities. Do them well, and let’s make everyone proud.”
Before the ceremony came to a close, there was a special awarding of program pins. This new addition – which organizers hope becomes a graduation tradition – had loved ones come to the front of the stage to “pin” their graduates.
Ward also announced the recipient of the inaugural Tony Giordano Memorial Scholarship, a brand-new fund intended to support paramedic students in memory of Giordano, a program alumnus and former area firefighter who died in July 2021. Shin received the honor this year.
To support the scholarship fund, go to craftonhills.edu/Giordano, or send a check payable to Crafton Hills College Foundation to 11711 Sand Canyon Road, Yucaipa CA 92399.
To learn more about the paramedic program, which is the longest-running of its kind and the first Community College-based paramedic program to be accredited, go to www.craftonhills.edu/paramedic.
