Fall 2023 Fire Service Technology Graduation Ceremony

Published: December 27, 2023

Seventeen Fire Service Technology graduates recently walked across the Nampa Civic Center stage and took the Firefighter Code of Ethics oath marking program completion. Family, friends, and supporters gathered in an overfilled room excited to share in the excitement of this accomplishment. 

The ceremony kicked off with a welcome from Director of Fire Service Technology, Darrin Raskopf, followed by Fire Service Technology graduates and instructors marching in carrying flags and reciting the pledge of allegiance. 

Raskopf highlighted the success of the class and how much dedication each student made to finish the program, “This is a milestone in your journey. It's not the end, it's the starting point. You'll have roadblocks, you’ll have stumbles, you’ll have setbacks, but you will overcome those because of what you've accomplished”. 

Chief Chris King from the Nampa Fire Department joined the ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate the students and their achievement. He stated, “You guys put a lot of hours in time, sweat, blood, and tears to do this. This is a momentous occasion not only for you, the graduates, but also the friends and families in the crowd that supported and will benefit from your selfless dedication.” 

Valedictorian and Fall 2023 Top Academic Award recipient, Cosette Renner, also spoke during the ceremony expressing gratitude for Class 5. “We began as a group of 17 individuals with diverse backgrounds, ages, and experiences. We came together with a common goal, purpose, and passion for the fire service”, said Renner. We have excelled both as a group and individually coming out of this academy.” 

Nine students from Class 5 will be transitioning to internships throughout the Treasure Valley and two have already secured employment. For more information visit the Fire Service Technology program. 

Watch the 2023 Fire Service Technology Graduation Ceremony.  

More from CWI

Three CNA students stand in lab

Access to healthcare education is growing in Valley County thanks to new partnerships between College of Western Idaho (CWI), McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center, and McCall-Donnelly...

Read more about Partnerships Expand Certified Nursing Assistant Training Opportunities in Valley County
Studio Art students at the Nampa Festival of Arts

Studio Art students and faculty judged the Juried Arts Competition at the 39th Annual Nampa Festival of the Arts, Aug. 8 and 9.

Read more about CWI Studio Art Celebrates Local Arts
Kellan Brown leans against the wall

Kellan Brown came to CWI with questions about people and the human experience. Through anthropology, he’s discovering where those questions can take him.

Read more about Brown Builds a Future in Anthropology
Autumn Harvey wearing her medal in front of a car

From the classroom to the national stage, CWI graduate, Autumn Harvey, turned technical skill and determination into gold and a career.

Read more about Harvey Builds a Gold Medal Career
Alex Nava on a staircase

Refusing to give up, Alex Nava overcame extraordinary challenges to earn his degree and start a new chapter in accounting.

Read more about Getting Back Up
Faculty and student with a certificate

Nominated by faculty, students were selected based on their commitment to learning, perseverance, innovative thinking, leadership, and professionalism in and outside of the classroom.

Read more about 2027 Emerging Scholars
Autumn Harvey celebrating her win
Courtesy: SkillsUSA

Competing against some of the nation's top career and technical education students, CWI earned national recognition with two medal-winning entries.

Read more about CWI Students Earn National Recognition at 2026 SkillsUSA Championships
Khye Montoya leans on fire truck

Firefighters often talk about trust. For Khye Montoya, that feeling of trust was familiar long before he stepped onto a fire engine.

Read more about Montoya Finds His Place in the Fire Service
Marquez Arredondo poses in front of firefighter gear

Marquez Arredondo turned a life-changing experience into a career dedicated to helping others through CWI's Fire Service Technology program.

Read more about Arredondo Answers the Call
Fire student at a fire truck with a hose

After stepping away from firefighting, Hunter Stephenson rediscovered his passion for the profession and found his way back through CWI.

Read more about Reigniting a Passion
Student speaks in front of audience

Students put classroom skills into action at the Spring 2026 Rookie Speech and Debate Tournament, reviving a beloved tradition.

Read more about Rookie Tournament Gives Students a Chance to Put Skills Into Action
Confetti falls on the crowd at commencement

The event marked the largest graduating class in school history and the College’s first commencement ceremony held at the Ford Idaho Center on CWI’s Nampa Campus.

Read more about More than 1,800 Honored at 17th Commencement

News QR Code

URL: https://cwi.edu/news/fall-2023-fire-service-technology-graduation-ceremony<br>