Members of the Bethel Fire Department lined the back of the commencement tent as Gould Academy graduate Zach Garfield stood before his classmates wearing his Bethel firefighter helmet to deliver the senior commencement address May 30.

A volunteer firefighter while attending Gould in Bethel, Garfield reflected on the impact the department had on his life.

“If there is one thing Gould teaches students, it is that community is important. While this comes at different times for everyone, my biggest realization of this was after I joined the fire department,” he said.

“After showing up and putting in the work, members of the department came to support me. Whether it was during my Four Point presentation or even here at this graduation ceremony, they came. Thank you,” he said.

Garfield said being part of the department “showed me what community is all about and became a major part of my life and character … Hence the helmet on my head … We will all find our place where we go … “

Garfield, the son of Gould Dean of Students Beth Garfield, joked that growing up on campus put him in a position “where students thought they could use me to get out of trouble,” but said he learned to take his own advice about facing challenges when he became a firefighter.

This fall, Garfield will attend Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where he will compete on the school’s varsity alpine ski team.

He closed his address by encouraging classmates to embrace life’s opportunities and pursue their passions.

“Live the opportunities that come your way,” Garfield said. “Feel the excitement when you walk across the stage. Feel it all.

“The same way I enjoy going down Church Street in the middle of classes, blaring sirens and honking the horn to a fire truck.

“Life is short. Go find your fire truck.”