JT Wint has loved helping others for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Lake Placid, he volunteered wherever he could - at the local food pantry, the Center for the Arts, his school’s garden, and a wide range of community events.
“I really like talking to people, and I’m a community-service-oriented person,” he said. “It’s fun to meet new people and get to know them.”
It’s no surprise that his passion for service eventually led him to the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department.
“When I was young and firefighters would come to schools, it got me into it,” Wint said. “I thought it would be a fun and meaningful way to help people.”
He became a regular around the station, and at just 16, he joined as a restricted member, gaining experience while waiting to turn 18 and take on a larger role.
Through mentors at the department, Wint learned about Onondaga Community College’s Fire Protection Technology program - the only program in New York State that offers national firefighter certification, preparing graduates for careers across the country.
After graduating from Northwood High School in 2025, he enrolled at OCC that fall. During his first semester, he participated in the college’s bunk-in program, living at the Moyers Corners Fire Department and responding to emergency calls when not in class. “It was a great experience,” he said, “but I realized I’ll have the rest of my life to be at a fire station.”
In the spring, Wint moved into campus housing, embracing a more traditional college experience. “It was nice to be able to do more here and get involved,” he said.
That involvement, and his academic success, earned him induction into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. “It came as a surprise,” he said. “Classes went well. They were definitely more technical than what I was used to, but all of the professors were really supportive and wanted you to succeed.”
This summer, Wint will return home to continue serving with the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department before heading back to OCC in the fall, further building the skills and experience that first began with a simple desire to help.
