The MAAC Foundation celebrates 39 new Fire Academy graduates

VALPARAISO, IN – In partnership with the District 1 Fire Training Council of Northwest Indiana, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of our latest Fire Academy. The ceremony will take place on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. CST at the Ivy Tech Community College Auditorium.

The 39 graduates represent the fire departments of Cool Spring, Cedar Lake, Schneider, Lake of Four Seasons, Kouts, Union, Griffith, St. John, Munster, Boone Grove, Highland, Crown Point, Rensselaer, Lake Hills, Lowell, Morgan and Dyer. . These recruits completed a rigorous 11-week training program that included training in fire suppression, hazardous materials operations and technical rescue, as well as other firefighting skills. They also learned the importance of community service and public education.

“We are pleased to welcome these 39 new firefighters to the first responder community,” said Celina Weatherwax, president and CEO of the MAAC Foundation. “Their unwavering dedication and commitment to serving as first responders exemplifies the resilience and compassion of our community values. With their arrival, we anticipate a profound and positive influence in Lake, La Porte and Porter counties.

“From the first day of training to graduation, these individuals demonstrated dedication, discipline and unwavering determination. Each graduate embodies the spirit of service and commitment to excellence that defines our firefighting community. said Chief Robert Grady, “It is an honor to have played a part in their journey, and I am confident they are equipped not only to meet the challenges of fighting fires, but also to excel in any business they undertake. Congratulations to our new firefighters. I look forward to seeing the positive impact you will have on our community and beyond.

The names of the graduates and their fire departments are as follows:

• • Donavan Barrier, cool spring
  • Mitchell Bleck, Cedar Lake
  • Rodney Bowman, Schneider
  • Kimberly Bowser, Lake of the Four Seasons
  • Jacob Carden, Kouts
  • Rébecca Carpentier, Union
  • Brianna Carter, Griffith
  • Jennifer Covington, Griffith
  • Noah Deyarmin, Saint John
  • Mark Fogle, union
  • Ezekiel Gomez, Munster
  • Elliot Granados, Boone Grove
  • Jaela Gudeman, Kouts
  • Cristofer Haro, Fresh Spring
  • Collin Hatfield, Highlands
  • Monica Torres, Crown Point
  • Logan Klahn, Rensselaer
  • Katherine Knauerhaze, Lake Hills
  • Cory Krieter, Lake of the Four Seasons
  • Kevin Little, Lake Hills
  • Kevin Martinez, Highlands
  • Troy Matthis, Griffith
  • Zachary Myers, Highlands
  • Ian Myszak, dyer
  • Ryan Parker, Saint John
  • Jenna Nelson, Lowell
  • Amy Ryan, Highlands
  • Grant Sanders, Morgan
  • Jacob Sell, Crown Point
  • Ali Soto, Munster
  • Nicolas Steele, Highlands
  • Logan Stein, dyer
  • Gabrielle Szumlas, Munster
  • Nicholas Thomas, Boone Grove
  • James Vahl, Lake of the Four Seasons
  • Hayden Warne, Rensselaer
  • Robert Beier, Schneider
  • Zachary Writt, St. John
  • Willie Hall, Lake Hills

The graduation ceremony is open to the public and will take place:

Friday June 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. CST

Ivy Tech Community College

Room

3100 Ivy Tech Drive

Valparaiso, Indiana 46383