Sarah Willmore, the college and career counselor at Lewiston High School, has recommended Mercedes Moore for a Senior Feature, and it’s no surprise why. Moore is a senior at LHS who is graduating with not just her 3.253 GPA and a GED, but also an associate’s degree in Fire Science Technology from Lewis-Clark State College.
The Fire Science Technology program “aims to give you certifications you would not get until 10-15 years of experience in the fire service and to make you the safest firefighter possible,” Moore explained.
She chose this degree, she said, because she enjoys helping people.
“This seemed like a good way to give back to the community,” Moore said.
Moore has also received certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and seven other certifications related to the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System. Along with these certifications, she has other fire and safety experience working as a volunteer firefighter at the Wheatland Fire Protection District.
Moore isn’t planning on further college education at this time, but she will work in the First Aid department at Silverwood Theme Park, averaging 1,000 calls per season.
In the future, she hopes to become a wildland EMT, to work as a volunteer firefighter, and to run a private ambulance service in the off-season.
As for high school, Moore said her favorite memories of LHS are from the dances.
“They were always such a vibe, particularly with the sense of everyone coming together,” Moore remarked.
She found there was always a moment when the girls came together and supported each other as real “girls’ girls.”
For the underclassmen at LHS, Moore had this advice.
“Don’t limit yourself based on what other people are doing,” she said. “The state gives you money to pursue your education further. Take it and go as far as you can.”
