A handful of Batesburg-Leesville High School students have made history.

The Law II students became the first in Lexington District 3 to earn their Emergency Telecommunicator Certifications.

B-L High’s Aqkwele Polidore taught the 40-hour long course. It’s designed to help individuals become familiar with emergency communication centers, emergency telecommunication technology, legal issues and job stress factors. Such topics as caller management, the roles/responsibilities of an emergency telecommunicator, and interpersonal communication are covered in the course.

With an Emergency Telecommunicator Certification, students are now qualified to work in any 911 call center as dispatchers.

Emergency dispatchers are in high demand and short supply, USA Today reported in September.

“We could not be more proud of these students for earning their Emergency Telecommunicator Certification. This is just one example of how B-L High School is working toward the goals of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate and making sure that every student who leaves Lexington 3 is college or career-ready,” said Sonya Bryant, Principal of BLHS.

The Emergency Telecommunicator Certification is valid for 2 years.