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Motlow State Community College recently graduated 47 paramedic students in a ceremony with record-breaking attendance. The class is comprised of 37 Motlow students and 10 members of the Murfreesboro Fire Department. Each graduate received a commemorative plaque, challenge coin, and paramedic pin at the Moore County campus commemoration ceremony.

Motlow offers three levels of EMS credentials. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) can achieve certification in three months. Advanced EMTs can complete certification in just two semesters. Paramedics complete a two-year college degree program.

EMS Director Houston Austin and EMS faculty Michael Peveto, David Weaver, Kenny Moffitt, and Stephen Alderman spearheaded the event. Tim Perry, Regional Operations Manager and Flight Nurse at Lifeforce Erlanger, served as the keynote speaker and shared insight he gleaned from his 40-year EMS career.

Several students were recognized for superior performance and for accomplishments despite formidable obstacles.

This year’s graduates include:

Sparta

Jacqueline Fernandez, Lillian Stewart, Logan Harris, Jeff Plaisted, Scott Dillahunty, Sage Bradshaw, Carson Rodriguez, Keely Clark, Kylie Evans, Josh Warren, and Catherine Thomas.

Smyrna

Gianna Bacchetti, Christopher Barrett, Cory Barriault, Jessica Bartlett, Derek Breyette, Christopher Cooper, John Flynt, Keith Gallant, Bailey Goin, Ezra Hathaway, Brandon Larsen, Jacob Malott, Alexis Olsen, Daniel Ontiveros, Sophia Patton, Kaylee Pentecost, Christopher Petersen, Cameron Rachal, Wesley Seibel, Cody Settlemire, Shannon Gerakis, Nathan Styles, Alisha Trail, Michael Wells, Meredith Ponder and Austin Wyatt.

Murfreesboro Fire Department

Justin Bradford, Joshua Byrd, Taylor Fitzgerald, Nicholas Lanzafane, Ridge McMahan, Nicole Miller, Adam Ross, Randy Shaw, Brandon Tarver and Ben Yeargan

Sparta Student Awards

Best Academic Awards:

Sage Bradshaw and Jacqueline Fernandez

Best Clinical:

Lillian Stewart

Airwolf Award:

Kylie Evans

Directors Award:

Keely Clark and Sage Bradshaw

Murfreesboro Fire Awards

Best Academic Awards:

Ben Yeargan, Adam Ross, Taylor Fitzgerald and Ridge McMahan

Best Clinical:

Nicole Miller

March or Die Award:

Randy Shaw

Smyrna Student Awards

Best Academic Awards:

Keith Gallant, Alexis Olsen and Kaylee Pentecost

Best Clinical:

Michael Wells and John Flynt

March or Die Award:

Gianna Bacchetti and Cory Barriault

The March or Die and Airwolf Awards were created by Paramedic Coordinator Peveto and Instructor David Weaver respectively to honor students who exhibited determination, strength of will, hard work, grit, strength, and perseverance.

EMS Director Austin told his students,” Don’t sit down and wait for opportunities to come; get up and make them.”

Peveto encouraged his students with a quote from Maya Angelou: “People will never remember what you did for them, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Pursuing EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic certifications gives students a practical route to the workforce. They are eligible for TN Promise and Reconnect. Obtaining a Paramedic license can also better prepare students for going into the nursing field. Motlow offers a one-year pathway to train Paramedics to sit for the NCLEX and transfer their medical knowledge from the ambulance to the hospital.

Those interested in Motlow’s Emergency Medical Services program can email emseducation@mscc.edu or call 931-393-1859.