| On Friday, May 29, the 2025-2026 EST Class graduated at the CCPSTC. The auditorium was filled with family, friends, and special guests. The evening began with a video featuring photos taken over the past nine months. Thanks were extended to the CCDFEMS Honor Guard, Bagpiper Gordon Kinnie, and Vocalist Instructor Sherry Hohl. CCVESA Chaplain Sam Mann provided the invocation.
CCVESA Past President Susan Mott welcomed and introduced guests. She also introduced two students who competed in the EMT portion of SkillsUSA: Trista Christiansen from Mt. Airy and Christian Often from Gamber. Both students won Gold medals and will compete at the National level in Atlanta, Georgia the week of June 1. These students presented advisors Susan Mott and Debbie Gartrell-Kemp with a SkillsUSA pin, which was a part of their medal. Christina Christiansen and Diesel were also mentioned for their important role and frequent visits during the year.
Class speakers Hunter Fincham, Colby Petry, Mason Pollack, and Madelyn Royer shared experiences from the program, praised their instructors, and included some humorous stories. Remarks were given by EST Coordinator Bruce Fleming, who discussed the history of the program and recognized previous EST students. Fleming also thanked Training Center Coordinator Debbie Gartrell-Kemp for her support throughout the year.
CCDFEMS Director Michael Robinson delivered an inspirational speech and reminded students that CCDFEMS is hiring. Instructors and support instructors were introduced and joined Director Robinson, EST Coordinator Bruce Fleming, and Commissioner Gordon in congratulating the students.
The following students received both a CCVESA EST certificate and a DFEMS certificate:
Mt. Airy: Trista Christiansen
Hampstead: Riley Lynott
Westminster: Colby Petry, Dalin Thomas
Manchester: Noah Kakel
Pleasant Valley: Ileana Judd
Reese: Abagail Frankfurth, Madison Lippy
Sykesville: Caleb Elburn, Jake Upton
Gamber: Christian Often, Jacob Reardon, Madelyn Royer, Ashlyn Pearcy, Jacob Sherfey
Winfield: Hunter Fincham, Mason Pollack
Alpha: Jonathan Riedel
Arbutus: Ace Hobbs
Special awards were presented as follows:
Outstanding EMT Student: Mason Pollack
Outstanding Fire Student: Colby Petry
Students of the Year: Trista Christiansen and Christian Often
Refreshments for the evening were provided by RK's Catering "Pit Crew," Utz of Hanover, Perfect Day Travel, Sergio's, and CCVESA. Special thanks to Tammy Farver and Lisa Broussard for maintaining the food supply, and to Mary Carole Stiffler and Heather Blum for their shopping assistance. Thanks also to Mt. Airy for supplying coolers and ice.
Instructors and support instructors for this year’s program included:
Evan Dayhoff
Tim Deklau
Bruce Fleming (Lead Rescue)
Andy Franklin
Debbie Gartrell-Kemp
Sherry Hohl (Lead EMT and Hazmat)
Susan Mott
Dave Olson (Lead Rescue)
David Polikoff
Connor Risner
Michael Robinson, Jr.
David Ruby (Lead EMT)
Ian Runkles (Lead Fire)
Josh Shaffer (Lead Fire)
Marianne Warehime
Tim Warner
Byron Welker
Thanks were extended to Gamber, New Windsor, Reese, Westminster, Winfield, and Alpha fire departments for their support this year, as well as Condon's Auto Parts, Chaz's Used Auto Parts, Top Notch Transport, and J.O. Spice.
Following a photo opportunity, students, families, and friends participated in family night. Students demonstrated skills learned over the past nine months. Appreciation was given to Mt. Airy, Manchester, Pleasant Valley, and Winfield for providing equipment for these scenarios.
The students presented all instructors with an engraved EST Program tumbler personalized with their names.
Congratulations to the EST Class of 2025-2026 on a successful completion of the program.
Photos from graduation night, taken by Richard Koons, are available at: https://www.ccvesa.org/apps/public/gallery/?Gallery_ID=29 |
