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YUCAIPA, CA. – After being canceled twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person ceremony honoring Crafton Hills College’s (CHC) Paramedic Class #96 was held May 6.
Dozens of family, friends and program supporters attended the ceremony, held at the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center at the Yucaipa college. The ceremony kicked off CHC’s 2022 graduation season.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said Amanda Ward, director of CHC’s paramedic program, to the graduates. “I just want to say thank you for the amount of patience and trust over the last year that you have spent with us.”
Program graduates faced many obstacles during their time as CHC students, including long days of remote learning after in-person learning shifted online due to the pandemic. They also navigated a new world of care following the rise in COVID-19-related cases, completing between 600 and 720 hours of hands-on field work – with help from program preceptors.
“I sit and listen to people who are worried about our craft, but I’m not scared at all. There’s nothing more challenging than what you just went through. You have this on lock,” Ward said to graduates.
The ceremony featured remarks by CHC staff and alumni, including guest speaker Jeff Kelsheimer, a program alumnus and current fire captain and paramedic for the Palm Springs Fire Department (PSFD).
Class #96 presented a plaque honoring their accomplishments that will join others hanging in program headquarters from previous classes. Awards and individual recognitions were handed out during the ceremony.
James Shin, acting president of the graduating class and the newest member of the PSFD, addressed his peers during the event.
“We are proud of the graduates of this fine program,” he said. “Don’t forget where you came from. This is only the beginning. We are still students of the craft.”
“Embrace opportunities to give back. Think of how many people helped us, shaped us, encouraged us,” Shin continued. “Be a good steward. You’ll be trusted with a lot of responsibilities. Do them well, and let’s make everyone proud.”
Before the ceremony came to a close, family and friends were invited to join in the ceremony. This new addition to the program allowed loved ones to come to the front of the stage to “pin” their graduates.
Ward also announced the recipient of the inaugural Tony Giordano Memorial Scholarship. The newly endowed fund supports paramedic students in memory of Giordano, a program alumnus and former area firefighter who died in July 2021. Shin received the honor this year.
To support the scholarship fund, go to craftonhills.edu/Giordano, or send a check payable to Crafton Hills College Foundation to 11711 Sand Canyon Road, Yucaipa, Calif.
