Josh Szymczak ’16

A normal day at work for Josh Szymczak ’16 consists of billows of smoke, 16-hour shifts, and temperatures above 1,400℉. Szymczak is a member of the U.S. Forest Service’s “hotshots” crew, firefighters who battle the hottest part of wildfires.

Originally from McClean, Va., Szymczak transferred to EHS his sophomore year before continuing on to Sewanee: The University of the South. His grandfather, Josh Darden ’54, and uncle, Allan Parrott ’84, both attended Episcopal, and he knew its reputation well before coming to campus.
 
“My uncle and grandfather fortunately had the opportunity to attend The High School, and my parents thought that I was somebody that needed an extra push,” Szymczak said.
 
While at EHS, he was a member of the boys’ soccer team under Rick Wilcox, head soccer coach and associate director of advancement. That experience helped him understand the importance of teamwork and how to impact each individual player — something that would come in handy down the road as not only as a player at Sewanee but also in his career as a hotshot.

“Coach Wilcox played a major part in teaching me how to be on a team. The women and men I work with daily are my teammates because we all depend on each other,” Szymczak reflected. 
 
After a cross-country trip to Oregon with four of his Sewanee friends, Szymczak solidified his career choice and became a wildland firefighter. From there, he became a hotshot. Primarily out west, the hotshots are a team of highly skilled individuals committed to wildfire suppression, management, and control. It requires pointed knowledge, skills and abilities, and extensive training. Preparing to fight the hottest part of a fire and protect people’s homes and livelihoods remains his biggest passion.
 
“I started firefighting in college during the summers. I enjoyed the high intensity and pace of work because I have ADHD,” he said. “I’m definitely honored because it’s a massive responsibility and I have a huge sense of pride.”
 
After a few years with the hotshots, he plans to attend fire science classes in Montana to expand his knowledge, and eventually go into fire technology. In addition to his passion for fighting fires, Szymczak is an advocate for his fellow firefighters. “I wish everyone knew that the job of being a firefighter is very blue collar, and there’s a lot that goes into it,” he explains in highlighting the importance of the current bipartisan infrastructure bill that appropriated funding for firefighter pay raises through the end of the 2023 fiscal year. “ The current bill is a representation of these men and women receiving compensation for a job that’s extremely difficult and requires extensive knowledge about fires,” Szymczak said.
 
For current students, he wants to stress the importance of getting outside of your comfort zone while at EHS. “I kick myself because I wish I could tell my younger self to not just sit in my dorm room,” he laughed. “It’s cool to do a sports team, but go take an art class, talk to your science teacher, and really try to push yourself while you’re there.”
 
For him, Episcopal played a huge role in gaining maturity, taking on responsibility, and learning how to manage his ADHD. He credits The Holy Hill with preparing him for the world and aiding his confidence as a young man. “The High School does a great job of exploring opportunities in D.C. All the field trips you can do outside of the classroom really form you into a well-rounded young adult,” he said.
 
When asked what he would tell an Episcopal student today, Szymczak paused to reflect: “Whatever you’re doing in life, give it your all. Choose the hard right over the easy wrong; strive to be the best version of yourself; beat Woodberry; and of course, God Bless The High School.”