CHERRYVILLE—A Cherryville High School student-athlete has received a prestigious honor—but it doesn’t directly relate to his ability on the baseball field.

     Jimmy Johnson, who is the starting center fielder on the Ironman baseball team and a member of the Cherryville Fire Department Junior Firefighters, has been named the 2015 National Volunteer Fire Council Junior Firefighter of the Year.

     Johnson has also played varsity basketball at Cherryville and will be in his third year on the varsity baseball squad.

     The NVFC Junior Firefighter of the Year Award honors a junior firefighter who has shown extraordinary dedication, commitment, and achievements as a youth member of the fire service. Nominees must have been a junior firefighter for at least one year and have gone above and beyond in their participation and accomplishments as a junior firefighter.

     In addition to national recognition, the winner of this year’s award will receive a trip to the Awards Banquet in Alexandria, VA, and a $500 scholarship.

     Chief Jeff Cash of the Cherryville Fire Department said, “Jimmy is one of our most committed and dedicated juniors we have had the opportunity to employ. He does a great job. He is always present unless he is engaged in school or school sports.

     “He will be taking the Cleveland Community College Basic Firefighter 16 week firefighter certification program this summer. Once he completes the program, he will be certified as a certified North Carolina Firefighter. He plans to complete his North Carolina Emergency Medical Technical certification later this summer as well.

     “Jimmy plans to enroll at Gaston College this fall and pursue a degree in Fire Protection. His goal is to be a career firefighter.”

     Scott Harrill, athletic director at Cherryville, noted, “Jimmy Johnson works hard in the classroom, baseball field, and as you can tell with his firefighting career.

     “We at Cherryville High School are proud of the accomplishments of Jimmy and his desire not only to excel in athletics, but in the role of serving others. Jimmy is sure to be a fine, outstanding citizen, and role model for the upcoming student athletes in Cherryville.”