Paramedic Graduation, Class 101: A Heartfelt and Joyful Ceremony

Publish Date: Jan. 22, 2024

On Friday, January 19, 2024, Crafton Hills College celebrated its 101st graduating class of paramedics. The 22 graduating paramedics sat on the stage of the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center as their loved ones filled the theatre with flowers, balloons, smiles, and little ones in tow. 

One of the oldest paramedic programs in the state and the first at a community college, this 39-unit, 16-week certificate program includes three core components: didactic (classroom) learning, clinical experience, and field internships. During the program, students also work with a preceptor, a licensed EMT-P who acts as a role model, facilitator, and evaluator for their assigned student. Job placement rates for those completing this program has consistently been over 94%, some years reaching 100%.

As the ceremony began, Dan Word, Dean of Career Education & Human Development, talked about how the graduates’ loved ones were integral to their success, and he encouraged the crowd to make some noise. He then ushered Medical Director Dr. Phong Nguyen to the podium, who spoke directly to the graduates, saying, “You are here because you dedicate yourself to the profession” and encouraging them to be compassionate to their patients, take care of themselves, and continue to learn and improve. 

He closed his remarks by singing two versions of You Raise Me Up, followed by a parody version relating to paramedic graduates and their studies. Everyone cheered and someone in the audience yelled “encore!”

Guest Speaker Craig Eilander, described as a “lab guru, friend, and colleague,” then addressed the graduates, stating that they are all “intelligent, skilled, compassionate, and dedicated.” 

Echoing this sentiment, a class video showed the hard work that the graduates put in and also highlighted some of the fun times they had as a class. The audience watched as their loved ones practiced CPR and intubation, did fieldwork with firefighters and paramedics, sat in class taking notes, and-- at the end of the video -- thanked their loved ones, faculty, staff, and preceptors. 

Following the class video, Aedon Kenyon, Class President, and Jaden Teel, Class VP, presented the plaque for Class 101. This plaque will remain on campus as the most recent in a long line of class plaques that began with the first graduating Class. Medical Director Dr. Phong Nguyen and Program Director Amanda Ward then presented the student award recipient, all of whom were chosen by faculty members:

• Cardiology Award: Cooper Whitworth 
• Skills Award: Spencer Berklite
• Theory Award: Ezra Zaroff
• Assessment Award: Cooper Whitworth
• Pharmacology Award: Taylor Carter 
• Field Award: Logan Romo 
• Director’s Award: Aedon Kenyon
• Clinical Award: Sabrina Bruni
• Dr. Nguyen’s Member Director Award: Jaden Teel & Jesselyn Mann

After receiving their awards, graduates were told that each would receive a check from the CHC Foundation to help them pay for their licensure fees.

Finally, to end the ceremony, each graduate had a loved one put their pin on their lapel. As Program Director, Amanda Ward, introduced the CHC graduating paramedic class 101, the audience erupted in cheers and applause. 

For more information about the paramedic program and how you can support it, visit craftonhills.edu/paramedic