Ding. Ding. Ding. As soon as he hears the bell go off, he hurries to his car, attempting to avoid the other students trying to leave the school parking lot. Unlike his classmates, he doesn’t drive home. Instead, he sets off to work. After a quick meal, he arrives at the fire station, taking a deep breath and preparing to start his 12-hour shift.

After completing medical classes at Dale Jackson and NCTC, going through training and passing the NREMT paramedic exam, senior Marquez King became a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Once certified, King began working for the Lewisville Fire Department.

“I was always interested in helping people,” King said. “[This] later led me down the path to become an EMT. I love being there for people and having the opportunity to save people’s lives.”

His family was not shocked when he brought up the idea of being an EMT since taking care of others has always been a significant part of King’s life. His half sister, junior Wendy Guerra, reflects on their childhood and the countless times he went out of his way to help her and those around him.

“I have always known he was going to do something with medicine or helping people in general,” Guerra said. “It’s not every day that an 18-year-old is an EMT, [so] I’m proud of him. You can always count on him for anything, from [being] a shoulder to cry on to being a good brother.”

Although his job provides him with various rewarding moments, the extensive work hours and grueling calls he encounters take a toll on his mental health. Every emergency call has a different outcome and through the days where calls don’t go as planned, King has learned to push past those challenges. 

“One of the most difficult things about my job is trying not to let whatever happens on [my] shift affect [me],” King said. “There’s a lot that happens and it’s not easy going on these calls and seeing certain things. You have to learn not to let [it get] to you or become a problem in the line of duty. [You don’t want it] to prevent you from doing your job.”

His passion for helping others isn’t limited to his community; King also wants to serve his country. After high school, he plans to go into the Marine Corps Security Forces Reignment and apply his medical knowledge to the military experience.

“His work shows he is focused and has a goal,” Algebra 2 teacher Janice Hatter said. “He’s already began to take action to reach his goal of being in the Marines and I think [being an EMT] will help him. He has the skills for it along with the discipline. His medical background will also provide him with opportunities within the Marines.”

As he gets closer to completing his first year as an EMT, King is grateful for everything he has learned during this period of time. Some traumatizing calls will be ingrained in his mind forever, but he knows he has had a lasting impact on his community.

“I chose to get certified and get involved in the medical field in case anything happens around me,” King said. “I just want to be more prepared and trained so I can help in case of an emergency. I’ll miss being an EMT but [this] job has taught me to appreciate life and all it holds because one second, something could happen and you can lose it all.”