Students at the FDNY Fire and Life Safety high school graduating
Fifty-seven students graduated from the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety on June 25
With the Fire Academy as a colorful backdrop, 57 students from the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety graduated on June 25.
"What you accomplished to get this far is a huge first step for you," said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. "You are truly an example for the other kids at your school and your neighbors - they will look at you and say, ‘I can do that too.'"
This is the second graduating class from the FDNY High School, which is part of the City's small schools initiative. Housed in Thomas Jefferson High School in East New York, Brooklyn, the school provides a rigorous academic program with a special emphasis on the academic, physical and moral rigors of emergency response.
"We, as a high school, are a launching pad, sending you to your future," said Principal James Anderson. During his address, he also asked all students find their own purpose in life and give back to their communities.
FDNY High School Program Coordinator Erick Green added, "You have made the school special."
Eighty percent of the graduates have been accepted to colleges and nine of the students are eligible to join the FDNY as EMTs this autumn.
"I feel proud of myself today, it's truly an honor," said class Valedictorian Odani Acevedo, who will be attending Lehman College. The class Salutatorian was Tariq Witherspoon. He thanked his teachers, counselors, FDNY officials and his family, noting, "the FDNY was like a second family to me."
And as the students shared inside jokes, took photos and hugged their friends and family, Student Body President James Fernandez said: "Stay brave, stay strong, stay focused and stay ready for anything that comes your way."
