10 Cadets Complete Summer Fire Academy
Aug 29, 2026
Ten students were recognized Friday evening, Aug. 28, during the graduation ceremony for Rockingham Community College’s Summer Class 2 Fire Academy, completing an intensive accelerated training program designed to prepare future firefighters for service in their communities.
Graduates included Carly Bray, Abiagail Burleson, Alexis Dillon, Nathan Eastwood, Skyler Haynes, Adam Hundley, Matthew McMillen, William Newnam, Isabella Schlosser, and Breylen Smith.
The daytime academy began June 8 and concluded Aug. 21, requiring approximately 500 hours of classroom instruction, hands-on training, physical fitness exercises, and skills assessments. Students trained through some of the hottest days of the summer, often wearing full firefighting gear while participating in practical exercises and emergency response scenarios.
“This was kind of a dream when I came here to RCC to get this daytime academy going,” said Fire Academy Director Anthony Crowder during the ceremony. He noted that the program was created to provide opportunities for younger students and others interested in pursuing careers in the fire service while helping local departments build a pipeline of trained personnel.
RCC President Dr. Sylvia Cox praised the graduates’ commitment to public service and perseverance throughout the demanding summer program.
“In a world today where we question, ‘Do people really still want to serve?’ there is evidence that that is absolutely true,” Cox said. “These students stepped up to a calling, not just a career.”
Deputy Fire Marshal Jeremy Shelton encouraged graduates to view the ceremony not as an ending, but as the beginning of their careers.
“Today you are no longer cadets,” Shelton said. “Today you start to become firefighters.”
Graduate speaker Isabella Schlosser reflected on the bonds formed during the academy and the challenges classmates overcame together.
“Five hundred hours of effort, hard work and dedication has finally paid off,” Schlosser said. “We cried a little, laughed a lot, and definitely had our hearts broken during PT. But no matter what emotion we went through, we all went through it together as a group.”
Several students were recognized with special awards during the ceremony. Carly Bray received the Firefighter Award, selected by her classmates. Adam Hundley received the Captain’s Award for leadership, while Matthew McMillen earned the Chief’s Award for achieving the highest academic and overall performance in the academy.
College officials said the program’s goal is to take students with little or no firefighting experience and provide foundational training that prepares them to begin serving with fire departments across the region. Graduates were encouraged to continue their education, pursue additional certifications, and remain committed to lifelong learning within the fire service.
“These cadets are our future,” Shelton said. “They will become the ones whose job it will be to teach young firefighters and continue moving the profession forward.”
To view photos of each cadet accepting their certificates of completion, visit https://www.facebook.com/rockinghamcommunitycollege/posts/1704403041687341.
