As part of our Senior Spotlight series, we’re highlighting students whose senior projects reflect both their interests and a clear sense of purpose. For Cadin Keever, that purpose is rooted in helping others.
This year, Cadin’s senior project has centered around a mentorship with East Jefferson Fire & Rescue. Through this experience, he has been fully immersed in the day-to-day work of emergency responders, including riding along on calls, learning routines, and building relationships with crews across multiple stations.
That experience has taken him across several stations in our area. “I’ve spent time at Station 1 in Port Townsend and Station 6 in Chimacum so far,” Cadin shared, “and I’ll be heading to Port Ludlow next. I’ve even had the chance to go out on calls.”
That level of real-world exposure has given Cadin a firsthand look at both the technical and human side of the profession. What has stood out most to him isn’t just the urgency of the work, it’s the care behind it.
“They actually do a lot of care, and they're there to soothe patients while they're in distress,” he said. “They sit there, wait with patience, talk to them, and get to know them. It shows how much they actually care.”
Cadin’s interest in this field didn’t happen overnight. It began years earlier through small but meaningful experiences. “During 8th and 9th grade, I got to meet firefighters and go to public events,” he explained. “I really enjoyed helping people who can’t always help themselves.”
That desire to help has been reinforced over the past two years through his enrollment in West Sound Tech’s Fire Science program, an experience that requires a level of commitment most students never have to consider. Each day, Cadin leaves well before most students are even awake, travels to Bremerton for a half-day program, and then returns to Port Townsend High School for additional classes.
For Cadin, the effort has been worth it. “At WST, I get to do things with hands-on learning. Love that!”
That hands-on experience has also fueled his motivation to show up every day and continue learning. “I don’t want to miss any days because I’m scared to miss something new that we’re doing. We’re always doing something different,” Cadin shared.
Now in his second year, he’s also beginning to see himself as a leader. “I’m trying to learn my leadership and teamwork. I want to help the first years,” he said.
Through both his coursework and mentorship, Cadin has developed a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed in emergency response, and it starts with who you are as a person. “Just having compassion and putting yourself out there when it’s really scary,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give to other students, his message was simple and honest: try things, even when you’re unsure. “Even if you’re not sure, just go and try. Don’t say ‘I’m not good for that’ if you’re not willing to go out there and try it,” Cadin said.
Cadin’s experience is a strong example of what can happen when students are given the opportunity to learn in ways that are hands-on, meaningful, and connected to their future. It’s also a reminder that at the center of so many career paths, especially this one, is a simple but powerful idea: showing up for others when they need it most.