WILTON – Ann DeRaspe Yorks had a dream for a program to encourage and assist volunteer firefighters. It was geared to guiding those in need of a new direction and embracing them into the life of fire and rescue.

On Monday night, Yorks’ dream came true once again with the graduation of the 17 members of the class of 2003-04 from the Foster Regional Technology Center Firefighter I program.

Program supervisor and student coordinator Jack Berry praised the dedication of all the volunteers in the program and in particular Yorks.

“Ann is a visionary. She sees the way things could be and she inspires others to make a change,” Berry said.

Freeport Fire Chief Darrell Fournier welcomed the graduates into the firefighter family.

“The word is down in southern Maine, you people know what you’re doing,” he said.

This year’s program yielded 13 high school students and four adults from all over Franklin County.

Jody Michaud, 17, of Temple called the experience “very valuable” and like many others will pursue her interests in fire science at Southern Maine Community College next fall. High school and college credits are available for those who participate in the program.

“There isn’t a lot of appreciation for the load they take,” said Berry of the strenuous nature of the Firefighter 1 program. With no state funding, the students rely on a mentor within the local firefighter community to volunteer their time and experience. Whether it was putting out a fire inside a small car or trying to pump water from a frozen river, the newly graduated endured a busy fall of fire prevention.

The ceremony marked the end of Yorks’ role as Foster Regional Technology Center director.

“This is the first program of its kind in the state and I’m proud to see kids cycle through it,” Yorks said.

The evening included a spaghetti dinner prepared by the Wilton Fire Auxiliary and served at the Wilton American Legion Hall.