Three generations of friends and family watched May 6 at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, in Marriottsville, as three generations of emergency medical service personnel participated in the Howard County Pathways EMT/Paramedics Academy graduation.

Twenty-two students graduated from the Pathways EMT/Paramedic Academy offered in partnership between the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue and the Howard County Public School System, where students have the opportunity to receive an emergency medical technician basic certificate in their senior year.

About 100 parents, grandparents and siblings attended the event. Retired Chief Joseph A. Herr and Retired Battalion Chief Don Howell presented certificates and awards at the event.

Deputy Chief John Butler, the master of ceremonies, and acting Chief John Jerome started their EMS careers 18 years ago in a similar ceremony.

"We're passing the challenge on to you," Butler said.

The graduation was marked by the highest completion rate of any of the previous classes. As the sixth EMT class, all 22 students completed the course, a significantly higher rate than prior years.

The class continues to grow as well, more than doubling over participation before. With a higher overall grade point average, Howell pointed out that this class was "more focused and driven" than most years before. Students participating in the program came from eight of 12 high schools in Howard County.

Butler, Howell and Ret. Sgt. Kenneth Brown presented Percy Okibe with the Valedictorian Award and Eric Surkovich with the Donald R. Howell Excellence in EMS Award, recognizing outstanding overall skills and attitude throughout the program. Okibe was one of six female students to participate in this year's training.

Former academy students Jennifer Caitlyn Conkling (from Class 1), Chris Cole (Class 2), Andrew Froom (Class 4) and Keontea Coke (Class 5) and Surkovich presented Chief Herr with an award for pioneering the Pathways program. Of the five students, four are currently members of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services as either career employees or volunteers.

Throughout the evening, attendees got a sense of the purpose and positive direction the students chose in participating with Pathways.

According to Brown, this was a group that "had the right mindset and was there for all the right reasons."

The Paramedic Pathways program is a joint effort between Howard County Public Schools, Howard County Community College and Howard County Fire and Rescue to encourage and facilitate students interested in emergency medical services, according to its Web site.

Students accepted into the program take emergency medical technician -- basic classes at the Applied Research Laboratory, in Clarksville. Students return to their high school after morning EMT-B classes for the remainder of the day. After high school and successful completion of the EMT-B classes, students can attend Howard County Community College and get their associate of arts degree in paramedicine at no charge. Prerequisites and paramedic curriculum are designed to take two years, the Web site said.

The program is offered to seniors through the Biotechnology & Health Services Cluster of the HCPSS Career Academies. Students must apply and be accepted to the program, then meet daily at the Applications and Research Laboratory on Route 108, near the Board of Education, in Ellicott City. Brown has taught the class since its beginning six years ago.

Throughout the year students participate in "ride alongs," working with Fire and Rescue personnel in real world situations. Howell noted that students had assisted in cardiac arrest and drug and alcohol impaired victims, among others, as well as helped prepare patients for helicopter transport.

"This is an occupation where 'job well done' takes on different meaning," Butler said.

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