Jack Leavitt, who graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 2017, and has been a longtime volunteer firefighter in the county, was recently voted by his peers to be Rookie of the Year for Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue.

Leavitt began volunteering for the department in January of 2022. In September, he was hired as a part time firefighter/EMT.

"He obviously made a strong impression on a number of the Cowlitz 2 as far as being here in his first year," Cowlitz 2 Fire Interim Chief James Graham said. "Probably what stands out to people is his attitude. I've never heard him say can't. It's always lets figure out how to make this work."