The 10th fire and EMS cadet class, sponsored by the Charles County Volunteer Fireman’s Association, Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services, Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute and the Charles County Board of Education, held their graduation ceremony at the Bel Alton fire station on June 2, 2006.

After a full school year of attending fire, rescue and emergency medical vocational training at the Southern Maryland Region Fire and Rescue Training Academy, Hughesville’s Firefighter/EMT Thad Dent was honored for receiving the highest overall achievement award. Dent also received academic awards for excellent grades in the fire and EMS courses and a perfect attendance award.

Firefighter/EMT Thad Dent received the “Justin Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship Award” and was presented with a check for $1,000.00. He was also awarded with a $1,000 check from the “Red Knights Motor Cycle Club”, who is a group of Fire and EMS motorcycle enthusiast.

Hughesville’s Chief Duane Svites and President Jimmy Rose joined the class sponsors, members from the Hutchinson and Dent families and local officials at the ceremony to celebrate Thad’s tremendous accomplishments and the entire class’s graduation.