High School Students Graduate as Certified Firefighters

From the Fire and Rescue Program at the MAAC Foundation Training Campus

High School Students Graduate as Certified Firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Vocational Program at the MAAC Training Campus. This is the 3rd graduating class of its kind since the program was launched in 2018 in partnership with Porter County Career & Technical Education Center. All students will be awarded the State Firefighter I and II certifications earning them the opportunity to serve at anyone of our local fire departments. As part of this rigorous training the students spent ½ a day onsite at the MAAC for the duration of the school year, completing all the classroom instruction and practical skills training required for their certificates.

Graduation ceremony will take place on:

Wednesday, May 26th at 6:00 PM CST

The MAAC, Emergency Services Training Campus

4203 Montdale Park Drive

Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

The graduating students are the following:

Amelia Benjamin, Valparaiso High School

Conor Casteel, Chesterton High School

Landen Curiel, Hobart High School

Luke Drake, Hebron High School

Gavin Ellis, Valparaiso High School

Cade Johnson, Chesterton High School

John Jordan, Washington Township High School

Jacob Marcayda, Hobart High School

Zachary Molnar, Hebron High School

Shannon Pidrak, Valparaiso High School

Alex Cotton, Chesterton High School

Pierceton Pine, Valparaiso High School

Kyle Quillin, Chesterton High School

Corbin Ton, Valparaiso High School

Jesselyn Williford, Boone Grove High School

Isabella Wunderlin, Chesterton High School

Kaitlin Zubek, Boone Grove High School

“In despite of the challenges and restrictions our class faced due to the COVID pandemic, our students learned to navigate through and overcome these obstacles. Because of their hard work and determination, they have risen successfully. Always earned, never given,” stated Lieutenant Teresa Janovitz, Portage Fire Department.

“The 2020-2021 school year was very challenging for us all. We are especially proud of the effort that this year’s class put forth to earn their certifications,” stated Captain, Robert Schulte, Valparaiso Fire Department.