Emergency Services Holds Graduation, Badge Ceremony

Tribal Citizen Ayze Henry Receives Firefighter Badge

By Felix DoBosz

HOLLYWOOD — On March 10, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and The Seminole Tribe Department of Emergency Services graduated Class 06-01 and presented certificates and badges to the nine newest members. These brave men and women will serve and protect the Seminole Tribal citizens through these dedicated services.

The Seminole Police Departments’ Color Guard presented the colors, followed by the tradional invocation read in Miccosukee by Mary Jene Koenes. Director of Emergency Services Armando Negrin then welcomed everyone to the graduating ceremonies.

“We honor our first Tribal member that has joined our ranks here today, a young lady that I had the great pleasure of meeting about four years ago,” he said. “She walked into the fire station full of curiosity and she asked many questions. Those questions were resolved, and that’s why she’s here today to receive her badge, to become a member of this family.”

Negrin was speaking about Ayze Henry, Bird Clan, from Big Cypress reservation. In addition to Henry, the following is a list of the rest of the Class 06-01graduates: Benjamin Bauer, EMT, Daniel Conti, Firefighter/EMT, Christopher Diaz, Firefighter/EMT, Juan Carlos Gomez, Firefighter/EMT, Stephen Luongo, Firefighter/EMT, Michael Marazzani, Firefighter/EMT, Bryan Stepanenko, Firefighter/EMT, Javier Valdes, Firefighter/Paramedic.

“…We have many fine young men here who have chosen to perform the most satisfying and rewarding job that I know, and that’s being a Firefighter,” Negrin said.

Negrin went on to thank the entire community and each indivual council member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida for their continued support and cooperation. A five minute video showed the class doing various activities at the Fire Training Academy. It outlined the hard work and dedication the group put in to their training.

A heart-felt moment of the ceremony came with new Firefighter Bryan Stepanenko’s story. Stepanenko was diagnosed with leukemia in 1989 when he was just three years-old. Boca Raton Fire-Rescue Firefighter Norm Engel, a volunteer at the time for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, arranged a VIP trip to Disney World for young Bryan and his family to enjoy.

Amazingly for young Bryan the cancer went into remission, but Stepanenko never forgot his hero who inspired him and helped him fight the odds at such a critical time in his early life. He and Engel bonded through their Make-A-Wish experience, though throughout the years lost touch with each other. However, Stepanenko never forgot the firefighter who befriended him and inspired him to become a firefighter.

A second video played showing a photo montage of Bryan Stepanenko growing up, while Mariah Carey’s song “Hero” played in the background. It traced Stepanenko past, from getting the horrible news of leukemia. However, the video also featured hopeful photos and headlines of Stepanenko with his hero going to Disney World with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and surviving cancer.

Finally, the video depicted photos of Stepanenko growing up through the years and playing sports in school. He was seen finally fulfilling his lifelong dream of attending the fire academy.

Ironically, that evening they met again after so many years. Boca Raton Fire-Rescue Lieutenant Norm Engel presented the Seminole firefighter’s badge to a 20 year old spirited young man who beat the odds.

Stepanenko was also chosen as the class leader by his academy instructors. He said he was honored and privileged by this. Upon seeing his old friend Norm Engel, the two hugged and smiled as everyone in the auditorium applauded warmly and enjoyed this wonderfully emotional story.