Angelina College Honors New Firefighters With Heartfelt Graduation

Angelina College recently celebrated the achievements of 12 new firefighters, as AC’s Fire Academy held its graduation ceremony for Class 25-63 inside the Hudgins Hall Auditorium.

Cadet Andrew C. “Cole” Caldwell won the award for Highest Academic Achievement, while cadet Brian Barnes received the Most Outstanding Cadet award after votes from his fellow firefighters.

Justin Guynes of the Houston Fire Department served as the keynote speaker, reminding the new firefighters that while they’ve overcome plenty of challenges to reach the stage, there are even bigger challenges ahead.

“You’ll face fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters,” Guynes said, “and you may be away from family for weeks at a time. The support of your family and friends will make a big difference. With this career, you have to have a work ethic, and you’ve got to love the job. If you pick this profession, you’ll fall in love with it. You get to serve others, and there’s nothing better.”

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Caldwell reminded his classmates of just how far they’d come since first walking through the doors of the academy.

“We weren’t sure of what lay ahead, but we quickly learned there were going to be pushups,” Caldwell said. “This academy wasn’t just about physical fitness or classroom learning. It was about discipline and respect and learning to carry ourselves with a purpose."

Here Are The 12 Graduating Cadets

• Austin D. Ajamian - Redding, CA
• Brian A. Barnes - Nacogdoches, TX
• Andrew C. Caldwell - Nacogdoches, TX
• Case E. Cavness - Centerville, TX
• Bradley M. Davison, Jr. - Chester, TX
• Joachim N. Gutierrez - Lufkin, TX
• Delaney M. Hancock - Cushing, TX
• Justin W. Mitcham, Jr. - Colmesneil, TX
• Rene Ramirez, Jr. - Lufkin, TX
• Camden M. Varkadoz - Lufkin, TX
• Alex Villafuerte - Corrigan, TX
• Mason C.D. Wilson - Lufkin, TX

Instructors and staff for Class 25-63 included Jason Pope, Chief Training Officer, Angelina College Fire Academy; Shawn Dillon, Assistant Coordinator, Angelina College Fire Academy/Nacogdoches Fire Department; Ashley Jowell, Angelina College Police Department/Director of Public Safety Training Fire/Law Enforcement; Kim Capps, Public Safety Specialist; Jeffery Barker, Needham FD; Adam Inman, Porter FD; Robert Anthony, Nacogdoches FD; Larry Tutt, Lufkin FD; Jason Stuck, Lufkin FD; Chayce Holcombe, Lufkin FD; Mason King, Nacogdoches FD; Justin Guynes, Houston FD; and William Gates, Angelina College Fire Academy.