Eastern Center For Arts & Technology Names Junior Firefighter As 'Student Of The Month'

HATBORO-HORSHAM, PA — The Eastern Center for Arts and Technology has named as its Student of the Month for December a local high-schooler who spent time responding to calls for service during Hurricane Ida as part of his volunteerism with a local fire company.

Zachary Trowbridge, a senior at Hatboro-Horsham High School who is enrolled in Eastern's Protective Services program, was honored recently for his scholastic achievements and community involvement.

Trowbridge's interest in fire services began when he joined the Hartsville Fire Company in Warminster, Bucks County as a cadet at just 14 years of age, according to Eastern.

Two years later, he joined the Horsham Fire Company as a junior firefighter, and he spent time responding to calls with the department back in September when Hurricane Ida damaged parts of the region.

It was Trowbridge's guidance counselor at Hatboro-Horsham, Marcey Varano, who had suggested that he look into the Protective Services program at Eastern because of his interests, according to the school.

In September, Trowbridge was presented the Community Service Award at Eastern by his Protective Services instructor, Mark Zaslavsky, in honor of Trowbridge helping a man who had collapsed during a family outing.

According to Eastern, Trowbridge was with his family visiting Gettysburg this summer when he witnessed a man fall to the ground. Trowbridge, who had his first aid kit and EMT bag with him, was able to check the man's vitals, making sure that the man was cared for before arriving paramedics took over.

"Mr. Trowbridge is a dedicated and conscientious student," Zaslavsky said in a statement. "He has set goals and career plans for himself. He is a leader in the class and doesn't hesitate to help first-year students with skills when they are having difficulty."

Trowbridge, who after graduating plans to attend Montgomery County Community College to study firefighting and emergency medicine, also spends time volunteering at both Lehman United Memorial Methodist Church and at the Jewish Relief Agency for food distribution.

Trowbridge ultimately would like to have a career as a paramedic as well as obtain his Master's Degree in Fire Science.

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology is a half-day career and technical school serving the eastern part of Montgomery County. It is open to students from Lower Moreland, Abington, Cheltenham, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Hatboro, Horsham, Jenkintown and Springfield.