OKEECHOBEE — The Education Foundation of Okeechobee sponsored the Okeechobee High School Fire CTE Academy Family Showcase, an event that highlighted the skills of the program’s 25 cadets, in April.

“The best investment we can make is in our own children,” said Education Foundation of Okeechobee CEO Alaina Barron. “The Fire CTE Academy is creating a local talent pipeline so students can build real careers right here at home while serving the community they grew up in.”
In addition to completing demonstrations for approximately 100 family members at Okeechobee County Fire Rescue Station 1, several cadets received scholarships to support their continued education. The Education Foundation of Okeechobee funded two $2,500 scholarships presented to Kyle Tarner and Christopher Lambert. Additionally, Kayden Tarner received the Top Recruit Award, a tentative job offer from OCFR, and a full scholarship to attend an EMT, fire and paramedic program.

“This program really has and will be the most fundamental part of growing up,” said Kayden Tarner. “It has helped me grow in many ways, but not only that, it has given me clear direction to a career path when I wasn’t sure where I was going in life.”

The purpose of the Fire CTE Academy is to shape Okeechobee’s future leaders by providing local students with a chance to learn in their own community. The program teaches team work, accountability, life skills, leadership abilities and basic fire skills to its high school participants.

The Fire CTE Academy began with a $300,000 commitment from the Education Foundation of Okeechobee alongside Okeechobee County Fire Rescue and Okeechobee County Schools in 2023 to secure the success of rising public safety professionals.

“The OHS fire program shows what it means to step up when it counts,” stated Christopher Lambert. “I’ve learned to push myself when things get hard, stay focused under pressure, and grow into someone my family and community can be proud of.”