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Fire Academy cadets ‘became a team’

Fire Academy cadets posing at Blue Ridge Community College are, front row, from left, Isaac Sizemore, Ryan Worley, Brody Hart, Calvin Lee; and back row, from left, Morgan Bryant, Parker Kanupp, Vasilios Koutris, Rodney Logan. [RICH KEEN/BRCC]

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 29, 2026

The Henderson County Fire Academy recognized eight graduates during a June 18 ceremony at Blue Ridge Community College’s Bo Thomas Auditorium. Six of the eight earned North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal certification.

Over four months of training, cadets developed basic firefighting skills and competencies through the academy, a partnership between Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Fire and Rescue Association.

Blue Ridge President Laura B. Leatherwood welcomed graduates and praised their commitment to service.

“Over the past several months, you have challenged yourselves physically and mentally, strengthened your ability to work as a team, and prepared to respond with courage, confidence and precision when others need you most,” she said.

Keynote speaker Josh Poore, a firefighter fitness training program designer, drew on life lessons learned after a mountain bike accident seven years ago left him quadriplegic.

“Nobody becomes a great firefighter because of one heroic moment,” he said. “You become a great firefighter because of thousands of ordinary moments. The drills nobody sees. The workouts nobody applauds. The training evolutions you repeat over and over until they become instinct.”

Class representative Ryan Joseph Worley spoke on behalf of his classmates.

“One of the greatest lessons this academy taught me is that no firefighter succeeds alone,” he said. “Through this academy, we became more than classmates — we became a team.”

Award recipients were:

•  Fastest JPAT Time: Parker Kanupp

•  Josh Poore Award: Ryan Worley

•  Top Academic Cadet: Vasilios “Vas” Koutris

•  Leadership Award: Morgan Bryant