Fire Science Academy graduates class #26
(Bradenton, FL—September 19, 2016) The Fire Science Academy of Manatee Technical College graduated fire fighter class number 26 at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2016, at MTC’s Main Campus. This class completed both Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician programs.
Graduating were Riley Botts, Chase Carter, Shane Craker, Raymond Font-Troche, Dillon Garback, Jessie Jones, Dylan Strand, Jack Titsworth, and Chris Zabawski.
Dillon Garback won the Highest Academic Achievement award with a 92% grade average. Riley Botts earned the Practical Skills Performance award, scoring 97% on an assessment of 300 skills. The Physical Agility award went to Christopher Zabawski for completing the ironman challenge in three minutes seven seconds (3:07); at age 36, Zabawski out-performed his younger classmates.
School Board member David Miner made these closing remarks, “It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be here with such fine men and women. You have attended the finest technical school in the whole country. Congratulations to all of you.”
Executive director of Adult, Career and Technical Education Doug Wagner made opening remarks and introduced MTC director Dr. Valerie Viands and assistant director Jeanette Eddy. Instructors Chief Bill Kebler and Chief Steve Trompke presented the awards. Fire Academy coordinator Chief Henry Sheffield presented the graduates.
The students take their state fire fighter certification exams tomorrow. The MTC Fire Science Academy is approved by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. Completion of the Fire Fighter program and passage of the state certification examination are statutory requirements to be employed as a Fire Fighter in Florida. The MTC Fire Academy pass rate on the state certification exam is 94%.
About Manatee Technical College
Manatee Technical College is a postsecondary career and technical education center with four campuses within the School District of Manatee County offering over 50 career preparation programs, continuing education, adult general education, and personal enrichment classes. Manatee Technical College is fully accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The mission of MTC is to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities and the workforce by producing highly skilled individuals and resourceful leaders through collaborative education.
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PHOTOS:
Manatee Technical College Fire Academy Class #26 (left to right) Shane Craker, Jack Titsworth, Riley Botts, Raymond Font-Troche, Chase Carter, Dillon Garback, Christopher Zabawski, Dylan Strand, and Jessie Jones. This class completed Fire Fighter I and II and Emergency Medical Technician. They will take their state exams on September 20, 2016.
Dillon Garback (left), Riley Botts, and Christopher Zabawski (right) pose for a photo with their awards during graduation from the Manatee Technical College Fire Academy. Garback won the award for Highest Academic Achievement, Botts for Practical Skills Performance, and Zabawski for Physical Agility.
Photos courtesy of Damon May.
