Congratulations to Gavin Ardis (pictured third from left in white shirt), Granville High School Senior and recipient of a $500 Community Service Award from the Adirondack Area of School Boards Association (AASBA).
The Association hosts an annual awards dinner and ceremony highlighting one student from each of the 30 school districts in the region who contribute to their community in an outstanding way.
Ardis’s community involvement began early in the 10th grade. He started as a local junior firefighter and soon knew that emergency service was his calling. “This is for me”, he shared. “I work best in high stress situations so the fire department feels like a good fit.”
He continued as a volunteer for both the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and gained his CPR and First Aid certifications. He went on to get his Firefighter One Certificate, the entry-level course required to become a NYS certified interior firefighter. Ardis also finished his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate through the Granville Rescue Squad.
Recently, Ardis completed his Civil Service Exam for Albany Fire Department and plans to attend the department’s Academy in the Fall. "As a new recruit I'll start my salary at about 50K per year after a four to five month training program and in five years I can be earning 80K per year, if all goes well. I would not have been able to pursue any of this without the amazing support and guidance from all of my mentors along the way.”
Ardis was joined with several Granville School Board members, Michele O’Brien, Shirley Kunen, Board of Education President Ed Vladyka and Superintendent Tom McGurl for the special event.
The Granville Jr/Sr High Jazz Band entertained the 250+ guests in attendance.
Congratulations Gavin!
Pictured: (L-R) Board of Education Members Shirley Kunen, Michelle O'Brien, Senior Gavin Ardis, Senior Rye Gallipeo, and Board of Education President Ed Vladyka.
RESOURCES
Learn more about a career in emergency medical services or volunteering. Each local fire house and rescue squad in the Granville area hosts a weekly Tuesday Open House at 6pm for walk-in inquiries and to get-acquainted with the opportunities they offer. Visit the resources link at DiscoverGranvilleNY.com for a listing of local emergency service locations.