Sean Meierkort didn’t have to wait until college or a post-graduation program to become an Emergency Medical Technician. The Evergreen Park Community High School senior earned his EMT certification while still in high school, thanks to the school’s firefighter internship program.
Meierkort took the certification exam on Dec. 15 and learned the next morning that he had passed, making him qualified to perform EMT duties before completing even a full semester in the program.
“I’ve wanted to help people for as long as I can remember,” Meierkort said. “Being able to get certified while still in high school is something I never thought would be possible without this internship.”
With the certification, Meierkort is now listed on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, which evaluates the skills, knowledge, and abilities of EMTs nationwide. The non-profit organization provides standardized certification for emergency medical responders, advanced EMTs, and paramedics.
Terence Masterson, the EPCHS business and technology teacher who runs the internship program, said Meierkort’s success shows exactly what the program is designed to do.
“Sean has fully embraced the experience and reached a major milestone in his very first semester,” Masterson said. “It’s exciting to see a student push himself this far so early.”
The internship program at EPCHS exposes students to a variety of career paths, including firefighter training, social media and marketing, technology, construction, drafting, and education. Seniors in the program earn course credit while gaining hands-on, real-world experience.
Masterson said the program is meant to give students meaningful opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. “Sean shows what’s possible when a student fully commits to the experience. His determination will inspire other firefighter interns in the future,” he said.
Meierkort described the program as eye-opening.
“I’m seeing so many things I’ve never seen before,” he said.
Masterson said Meierkort’s achievement reflects the goals of the program: real-world experience, mentorship, and confidence to take on new challenges. “We’re proud of his hard work and can’t wait to see where this path takes him,” he said.