Crafton Hills’ Paramedic Program celebrates 108th graduating class - Crafton Hills College
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Publish Date: Sept. 18, 2026

Paramedic Graduating Class

Speaking directly to the 108th graduating class of Crafton Hills College’s Paramedic Program, Antonio Betancourt asked his classmates to think back to the day when they realized this career was meant to be.

For Betancourt, it was during his Intro to EMS class when one of the class instructors said something that stuck with him: “EMTs are the only profession the public truly trusts.”

“To me, that’s powerful,” Betancourt told his fellow graduates on Sept. 4. “And that’s not to downplay [others’] commitment and responsibility [to help]. I’m trying to make you understand the weight of this profession and what it entails.

“You all, now paramedics, get to instill and upkeep that legacy our older generation upheld,” he continued. “It’s important that we remember this commitment because there will be tough calls, tougher patients, but we must remember we are keepers of a legacy built from trust, commitment and compassion.”

The ceremony was filled with praise for the hard-working and determined cohort, as well as program traditions that included the unveiling of a class plaque that will adorn a wall of a classroom used for that program’s instruction.

Crafton’s Paramedic Program is unique in that former students have now become the teachers, leading new generations to find and remember their why when “life absolutely lifes you,” said guest speaker and program instructor Kristen Clements.

“Let your why remind you to be compassionate when you’re tired, to be patient when you’re frustrated, to keep learning when you think you already know the answer, to advocate for the patients who need someone to speak for them--and to remember that the person in front of you isn’t simply a patient—they are someone’s parent, child, spouse or sibling.” 

Before the early afternoon ceremony ended, the following instructor awards were presented:

  • Skills Award and Pharmacology Award: Seth Singley
  • Theory Award: Andrew Clark
  • Clinical Award: Hunter Key
  • Cardiology Award and Field Award: Joshua Rowell
  • Patient Assessment: Caitlyn Schock
  • Program Director’s Award: Keegan Westbrook

Each graduate was also given $600 from donor Nicholas Campos through the Crafton Hills College Foundation to help cover paramedic licensing fees. And four graduates earned student scholarships:

  • Redlands Sunrise Rotary Club Scholarship: Andrew Clark
  • Yucaipa Valley Rotary Scholarship: Anthony Nelson
  • Beaver Medical Group Clinic Foundation Scholarship: Angel Lomeli
  • Dr. Phong Nguyen Scholarship Endowment Fund: Anthony Parker

Crafton Hills College offers two paramedic programs per year, a spring and a fall term. To learn more about the program and its requirements, visit www.craftonhills.edu/paramedic.