Montezuma-Cortez senior linebacker Tanner Desrosiers is not only the Intermountain League’s leading tackler, with 69 tackles so far this season.
He’s also a graduate of the Cortez Fire Protection District Academy.
Along with fellow M-CHS student Shellbee Romine and eight other recruits, Desrosiers graduated from the academy led by assistant fire chief Shawn Bittle on Saturday, Oct. 8.
“If I had this in high school I would’ve jumped at it too,” said Chief Jeff Vandevoorde. “The partnership with the high school is huge for us, it really is. We work really well with them, and assistant chief Bittle did a great job with this academy. Seventy percent is passing, and they strived for 80 percent or higher, and that’s what the whole class achieved.”
Desrosiers had previously taken introduction classes in fire science, CPR and first aid with instructor Lori Mott in M-CHS’ career and technical education department. And he said that Mott – who was named Colorado’s CTE teacher of the year in 2012 and is a part-time firefighter – suggested the program.
“Ms. Mott just said it was a good program to be in and if I committed to it, that it would help me with things in the future,” Desrosiers said.
So beginning in June, Desrosiers attended training from 6-10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as a few all-day Saturday classes per month – which wasn’t easy, considering he had to balance the training with school and football practices and games.
“Trying to find time to study was a really hard part,” he said. “But I think it will help me a lot in the future no matter if I want to stay in wildland (firefighting) or end up going structural. Whatever I want to do, it’s another thing to put on my resume.”
After graduating from the academy, Desrosiers is now eligible to take the state test to receive his Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certifications. And he plans to do so in November.
He also is taking the Emergency Medical Technician class with Mott, which is a college course through Southwest Colorado Community College, and will be able to take the exam to become certified with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians upon completion.
Mott said that one of the biggest benefits of taking the classes while in high school is the money students can save on tuition. It also allows students to begin their career directly out of high school if they wish, or they can work in the career field while going to college, which is Desrosiers’ plan.
But until then, he will continue to be a key contributor on the M-CHS football team.
While leading the team and league in tackles, Desrosiers also has 8 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns this season.
He and the Panthers will look to get their second win of the season on Friday in a road game against Gunnison.