Hard pressed to find anything difficult about the 15-week intensive Fire Academy at Crafton Hills College, Deandra Van Houten is clearly meant to be a leader. In fact, she was selected to lead the 87th Fire Academy class by her fellow cadets, all of whom are fellows by the way. Van Houten is only the second female academy leader in the 35 year history of the program. The cadets graduated on Friday, Dec. 15.
Van Houten credits her experience as a collegiate water polo player and high school coach for her leadership skills.