Eighteen graduate during 12th annual Lake Tahoe Fire Academy ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - "This is a really special group," Brad Deeds, Dean of Workforce Development and Instruction at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC), told those attending Saturday's graduation of the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy (LTBFA) class of 2018.

For the past ten months, the 18 graduating men and women have been put through the tough physical, emotional, operational and educational requirements of becoming a firefighter.

Each speaker echoed Deeds' sentiments.

"Their strength is in their numbers," said Terry Hughes, Fire Chief of Eastern Alpine Fire/Rescue. "They bonded together to make themselves stronger." He told the grads, "Stop, be proud, you did good....your strength is with you."

LTBFA Coordinator & Instructor Leona Allen, who has been with the program since inception, led what was her final graduation ceremony. Special awards she bestowed on the class:

Motivation: Luke Borchers
Leadership: Anika Burkhart Schneider
Top Academic: Michael Passaretti
Most Improved Physical Fitness: Anika Burkhart Schneider
Top Physical Fitness Score: Trevor Dimino-Simons
Best Ax: Jusdan Mondragon

The National Anthem was sung by graduate Heidi Strahl.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District Captain Nathan Hagenbach gave the cadets the top three things it takes to be successful as a graduate:

1. Understand and respect what being in the fire service is - we serve others, and the service is steeped in tradition;
2. Do not ever give up. You will be faced with challenges. Volunteer, continue education, stay fit, do all you can;
3. Have a network of people to help you get through things - nobody does this alone. Take care of your family and they'll take care of you.

The graduates and hometowns: Benjamin Robert Booker (South Lake Tahoe), Luke Joseph Paul Borchers (South Lake Tahoe), Anika Burkhart Schneider (Olympic Valley), Justin Michael Cain (South Lake Tahoe), Charles Kelly Carlson (South Lake Tahoe), Joshua Alain Louis DeMartini (Auburn), Trevor T. Dimino-Simon (Sacramento), Eric C. Dunn (Meyers), David K. Garner (Cameron Park), Shawn M. Jordan (Nevada City), Jusdan Lee Wyatt Mondragon (Carson City), Sean Christopher Kappeler Mullin (Alameda), Adrian Negrete (South Lake Tahoe), Nicholas Wade Olson (Shingle Springs), Michael J. Passaretti (Mission Viejo), Justin Thomas Pease (Pittsburg, CA), Jose Alberto Reyes (South Lake Tahoe), Heidi Strahl (Tahoe City).

The instructors: Leona Allen, Leslie Asbury, John Chester, Joseph Forehand, Elsa Gaule, Nathan Hagenbach, Shane Gernandt, Terry Hughes, Justin Keys, Kileigh Labrado, Charles Malone, Tadashi Matsuoka, Michael Mosca, Ed Roe, Jennifer Robillard and Perry Quinn

Not only has the class exceeded on the required aspects needed to graduate, but they have also demonstrated their service side. The class held fundraisers to raise funds for not only their class needs, but paid it forward by raising funds for next year's academy.

"I am impressed with their generosity," said LTCC President/Superintendent Jeff DeFranco of the class during their graduation.

"This is just the beginning of our careers to be the best fire fighters we can be," said Cadet Adrian Negrete, Class of 2018.