HARTS students attend Fort Worth expo

Published or Revised March 04, 2009

Air conditioning and refrigeration students from Paris Junior College recently got an educational bonus by attending the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Indoor Air Expo held at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The Expo, held annually in different states throughout the United States, will not be held again in Texas until 2012. Accompanied by PJC instructors, the students are members of the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Students Association (HARTS). Funds to attend the Expo were raised by creating the winning float in the PJC homecoming parade and first place overall entry in the City of Paris Christmas parade, and by donations from a recent drawing for a $100 gift card. PJC was one of only a few schools to be invited to attend the Expo, giving students the opportunity to see firsthand the latest equipment and technology used in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration. Students were also given the opportunity to meet with leading contractors and manufacturers in the field. Making the trip were Ray Evans, HVAC building mechanic, Jason Taylor, math and science lab instructor, Charlie Hodgkiss, HVAC instructional supervisor and instructor, Jenna Ormsbee, HVAC instructor; and Mike Ormsbee, PJC building maintenance. Students attending included Alvin Atwood, Chris Wakefield, Rusty Bridgers, Aaron Toland, Bobby King, Jason Mackrell, Darius Ferguson, Craig Wootton, Samuel Schwab, and Cal Reep, all of Paris; Douglas Cox, Larry Hoffman and Scott Sillivan of Cooper; Jerrell Briggle of Blossom; Zachary Nance of Detroit; and William Dunning of Commerce. Oklahoma students include George Richards of Soper and Timothy McKinney of Idabel.