Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 2-27-20 E-edition

Longtime Reedley paramedic to retire
The View From Here
As I ex- ited my car on the after- noon of Feb. 22 in down- town Porter- ville, I was immediately met with the smell of smoke.
Even days after the large library fire that claimed the lives of two Porterville City firefighters had been ex- tinguished, and even after steady rain began to fall onto the site, the smell of smoke continued linger in the air.
The building was com- pletely destroyed. What used to be the Porterville Library was now just a skel- eton frame.
Exposed were the struc- ture's steal beams, loose wires, and piles of charred books and magazines. Their pages soggy from the rain, black from the soot and grey from the ash.
Circling the building's pe- rimeter, a chain link portable fence, a couple of memori- als, and plenty of onlookers. The onlookers were quiet. Reflecting on what hap- pened.
Just four days prior, Pat- rick Jones, a firefighter and Ray Figueroa, a captain, were at work just steps from the library. The fire depart- ment is located directly be- hind the library.
Ready for their next call. Not knowing the next call would be their last call. They were killed in the line of du- ty on Feb. 18, 2020.
As I exited my car on the morning of Feb. 25, in down- town Reedley, I was immedi- ately surprised at how warm the weather was.
It was almost 8:30 a.m. I walked at a fast pace and headed East on 8th Street toward the Reedley Police Department.
Reedley Fire’s ladder truck 131 was parked near the station. The 100 foot lad- der fully extended, a large flag waved in the morning breeze.
More than one hundred community members and first responders stood in front of the police depart- ment. All there to honor the life of fallen Reedley Offi- cer Javier Bejar, and Fresno County Deputy, Joel Wahlen- maier.
Just ten years prior, Be- jar and Wahlenmair were at work. Not knowing that next call would be their last. They were killed in the line of duty on Feb. 25, 2010.
“We live in a world that uses the term hero far too loosely,” said Jerry Isaak, Reedley Fire Chief during the flag lowering ceremony
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Described by his col- leagues as “by the book,” and someone who can maintain his composure while on calls, Randy Smith, a paramedic who has been with Sequoia Safety Council for nearly 31 years, celebrated his retire- ment on Feb. 21.
“I will continue to work per diem for about a year,” said Smith. “I want to kind of ease out of it instead of go- ing all at once. I haven’t been unemployed in fifty years, so yea that would be tough to do.”
Smith began his career with the ambulance company back in 1989.
He worked as an emer- gency medical technician or EMT for several years then at 47-years-old he transitioned into the paramedic program.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board,” he said. "I probably wouldn't be a medic right now if it wasn't for the board. They put me through medic school back in 2001."
Smith said he fell in love with the job of being a first responder but, like with any job, there are good days and bad days.
“This career, it’s constant- ly changing," he said. "When that tone goes off, we don’t know what we’re going to get."
“The entire way to a call," he continued. "We are running things through our mind, we have a basic idea of what the call will be about, but it can always change.”
Smith said his plans for re- tirement include continuing to work per diem for the depart- ment, spending time with his granddaughters and fishing.
Juanita Adame
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Randy Smith, a paramedic with Sequoia Safety Council celebrated his retirement on Feb. 21 surrounded by his family and colleagues.
Dinuba's Mr. Emperor competition set for this Saturday, Feb. 29
Contributed
Planning committee members Jasmine Jorge (far left) and Alejandra Ferrel (far right) are pictured with this year’s Mr. Emperor title. This year’s contestants are Michael Pena, Gino Adaoag, Ramon Navarro, Noah Garza, Cole Shott, Isaiah Gonzalez and Devin Deleon. Not pictured, Justin Encinas.
Local students participate in 'History Day'
Mid Valley Times
The annual National History day event was held on Feb. 21 in Visa- lia as students from Di- nuba GATE and Dinuba High School and Cutler Elementary were among the 200 participants from 15 Tulare County Schools to attend.
There were 111 proj- ects in the competition as this year’s national theme was “Breaking Barriers in History”. Stu- dents created exhibits, performances, documen- taries, historical papers, and websites to impress judges and audiences.
National History Day is a theme-based research program that showcases original pre- sentations by students in grades 4-12 pertain- ing to historical issues, ideas, people and events. Students may choose any topic in local, national or world history and ex- plore its significance relative to the annual theme.
Students also re- ceived scholarships. This year’s $500 Stan Barnes Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Dinuba High’s Emily Gonza- lez, Evelyn Jaime, Deja Mata, Richard Mendez and Yurismay Velaso Villegas. Their topic was “Lifting As We Climb”: How Mary Church Ter- rell Paved the Path To- wards Equality. A $250 scholarship was awarded to Shaylay Fletes of Di- nuba High and her topic
See HISTORY on Page A8
Mid Valley Times
The annual Mr. Emperor contest will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 in the Dinuba High School Audito- rium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The Mr. Emperor contest is an opportunity for young men at Dinuba high School to positively represent their school and community while
allowing them the chance to earn college scholarships.
The contestants have been speaking to service clubs in the community exposing them to public speaking. The contestants have spoken to Rotary, Kiwanis and the Di- nuba Women’s Club.
The winner of the contest will receive a $500 scholar-
ship.
Vying for Mr. Emperor
are Gino Adaoag, Devin De- leon, Justin Encinas, Noah Garza, Isaiah Gonzalez, Ra- mon Navarro, Michael Pena and Cole Shott.
For admission cost and ad- ditional information, please visit facebook.com/Dinuba- High/
SEE COLUMN on page A8
Reedley's FCCLA competes at regional's
Contributed
From left, Lisa Bueno, chapter advisor, and Liliahna Bedolla, first place winner.
Contributed
The Reedley High School chapter of Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America or FCCLA, traveled to Madera to compete in the Region 8 Star Competitive Event.
The competition was held at Madera South High School on Feb. 22 and consisted of "STAR" events or Students Taking Action with Recogni- tion.
Each participant was scored by a panel of judges on their oral presentations, in- dividual projects, leadership skills and event preparation.
Reedley High junior, Lili- ahna Bedolla won first place with her project.
Bedolla's win has qualified her for the 2020 State Leader-
ship Conference. The confer- ence will be held on April 25 through April 28, 2020.
The conference is aimed at developing chapter member's skills for life through charac- ter development, creative and critical thinking, interperson- al communication, practical knowledge and career prepa- ration.
Chapter advisor, Lisa Bue- no will take chapter members to the leadership conference in Fresno.
"The students are excited about joining over 800 other students in workshops and STAR competitions," said Bueno. "Liliahna Bedolla hopes to qualify for the 2020 FCCLA National Leadership Conference, that will be held in Washington D.C. this sum- mer."