Trust + Resilience: The recipe of success for Crafton Hills College’s 113th Fire Academy

Publish Date: Dec. 19, 2025

In the fire service, you are never alone.

It takes a village to help those looking to pursue a career in the field, a lesson Crafton Hills College’s 113th Fire Academy shared when looking into the crowd of loved ones and teachers who supported them along the way.

On Dec. 19, the Yucaipa-based college celebrated its most recent class of cadets turned firefighters at its fall graduation ceremony, filled with tradition and jubilation.

“I am so proud of this group,” said Associate Dean of Public Safety Amanda Ward as she addressed the graduating class and guests inside the Finklestein Performing Arts Center. “It really has been a pleasure to have you here with us and I am going to miss you dearly.

“I look very much forward to seeing what your futures look like,” she continued. “You are a highly desirable commodity that’s going to protect our public, and I hope that several of you come back to our paramedic program because, as you may know already, we’re the best in town.”

Crafton’s 113th Academy was comprised of 33 men and one woman who completed the rigorous program, which has gained attention for being one of the premier fire academies in Southern California. The program trains cadets with the basic knowledge and skills to become first responders and gain certification.

Cadets also learn the importance of relationships, bonds of trust built through team training and resilience that have the strength to never break.

“As firefighters, you experience some of the most rewarding moments helping people on their best days but also being present on their worst days,” shared Class Speaker and Graduate Austin Marin. “When those moments come, trust and teamwork and our commitment to one another will matter more than anything else.

“We learn here that [this job] isn’t just about facing difficult situations but it’s how you respond to them, how we work together and how we step forward without hesitation when people need us most,” he said.

Additional ceremony highlights included remarks from Academy Chief Ryan Harold and Crafton President Kevin Horan and the presentation of a class plaque that will hang on a classroom wall.

Several cadets were also recognized for individual awards and scholarships:

·         Academic Achievement: Matthew Mena

·         Instructors’ Award: Arthur Salcido

·         The Michael Orland Scholarship: Nicholas Candales

·         The MT 241 Scholarship Award: Ruben Jurado

Rounding out the 113th class were Joshua Almeda, Zachary Alonso, Luke Alvarez, Nathan Carver, Adam Cazares, Ashton Chaconas, Zachary Chonkich, Pedro Cordeiro, Cristian Cubillos, Robert DeFoe, Alek Ellis, Guiliano Hayek, Travis Karg, Jesse Lomas, Lance Mariscal, Luis Moreno, Roberto Olea, Bernardo Padilla, Cole Paxton, Korey Reed, Rodolfo Rodriguez, Giovanni San Miguel, Kade Saxon, Isaiah Truong, Erik Vasquez, Nathaniel Velotta, Daniel Vera, Hailey Wells and Austin Whitmore.

The Fire Academy at Crafton Hills offers two academies per year. Applications are accepted year-round.

To learn more about the program, go to craftonhills.edu.