Middleton High School is celebrating four juniors and seniors – Nora Kuhl, Matthew Lanear, Matthew Peters and Josephine Vandervest – for completing the NextGen Responders Academy at Madison College. They were recognized in a graduation ceremony on the college’s campus on May 14.
The academy includes Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training and the Fire Recruit Academy. Lanear completed the Fire Recruit Academy in the fall. Kuhl, Peters and Vandervest completed the EMR training as well as the Fire Recruit Academy during the fall and spring semesters.
In addition to their training at the academy, Vandervest and Kuhl participated in ride-along experiences and training with the Middleton Fire Department. Lieutenant Christine Schultek attended the ceremony to support the graduates.
Kuhl was honored at the ceremony for being voted one of the program MVPs by students. Middleton High School Career and Technical Education Coordinator Dave Thomas said Kuhl was recognized “for exemplifying leadership, dedication, resilience, achievement and spirit for the profession.”
Kuhl shared what she learned – about firefighting and herself – during the academy.
"The fire academy taught me how to use my strengths to overcome my weaknesses,” Kuhl said. “Everyday on the fire ground was a new challenge, and you never knew what you were getting into. But knowing that I had the skills to master each challenge made it easier to work through."
Peters shared a similar perspective. He said the academy taught him: “When it gets hard, it’s easy to quit, but remember people are counting on you.”
Vandervest agreed that the program was challenging physically and mentally.
“This class challenged me and I was able to overcome it,” Vandervest said. “Even when I was going through challenges and thought I wouldn’t be able to overcome them, I did and I’m so proud of myself.”
Vandervest said the experience helped her learn more about firefighting as well as get a better understanding of what she does and doesn’t like in a career.
The NextGen Responders Academy is open to Wisconsin high school juniors and seniors. More information about the academy is available on their website, and details on Middleton High School’s Youth Apprenticeship program are available here.