Emmalei Reynolds has wanted to be a Firefighter/Paramedic since she was a little girl. We hear a lot of Fire Cadets say that, but this is the first time we have photographic proof. “There was never a doubt since she was a little girl that this is the only occupation she was interested,” says her dad, Patrick Reynolds. “She has always been wired to want to help people.”
Well, that desire to serve combined with determination and hard work are paying off for Emmalei. This week the High School senior and Fire Cadet Class Chief won the 2021-2022 Distinguished Graduate Award from Cascadia Tech Academy, the organization that operates the Fire Cadet program in Clark County.
Emmalei is the sole winner in Clark County, and the selection process was no walk in the park. Candidates have to prove they’ve achieved or have been recommended for certification testing. They have to provide leadership roles in school and personal settings. They must participate in service-learning projects and mentor other students.
Her plans for the immediate future? She wants to follow the path of many of our other Fire Cadets and apply for an internship at one of the many rural Oregon Fire Districts; it’s an environment where the District pays for interns to gain necessary schooling, live at the fire station, and work on real-life emergency calls. Emmalei has also qualified for a scholorship, which should help in her future pursuits. “Emmalei holds herself to very high standards, and she expects the same of her peers,” says Cadet Lead Instructor, Chris Grant. “I know she’s going to do very well in the fire service, and I’m excited for her.”
We wish the best for Emmalei,and who knows…maybe we’ll see her back at Fire District 6 in the future?