Crafton Hills College celebrates the first of three EMT cohort graduates

Publish Date: Jan. 7, 2026

Crafton Hills College’s Fall 2025 Emergency Medical Technician class cohorts were locked in and ready to go from their first day of instruction.

As they gathered for their final meeting as program students, Crafton’s Monday and Wednesday cohorts were given one final instruction before officially becoming graduates: “Have fun.”

“I am extremely proud of each and every one of you,” said Interim Associate Dean of Public Safety Amanda Ward as she addressed the 55 who were recognized on Jan. 7. “EMT school is tough, but this is a very family-oriented profession. Just because you’re done with EMT school doesn’t mean we are done with you. We are always here to support you.”

The evening ceremony was the first of three scheduled in the same week in the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center. Like the program graduates, those in attendance came from diverse backgrounds and ages, but that night they all had one common goal: cheer on their favorite graduate.

Crafton Hills’ EMT program is rigorous. It requires 16 weeks of instruction, training students to perform basic life-support measures in a pre-hospital setting. EMT students care for people on their best days and their worst days. But despite the unexpected that might come their way, program facilitators were confident their graduates would truly be difference-markers in the field.

“What makes this class especially remarkable is what it took for you guys all to be here,” said program instructor Skylar Antoncew. “But you all chose to be here when quitting would have been a lot easier, and that says everything about what kind of EMTs you will be.”

Additional program highlights included a certification presentation and a photo slideshow featuring in-class study sessions and some zany antics during breaks. Then, it was time to celebrate outside the PAC, where plenty of family photos and selfies were captured.