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based in Jackson recently donated an engine worth $14,341 new to ̨��ʹٷ���վ Community College’s Pearl/Rankin Career and Technical Center for high school students.

The Caterpillar 4.2 Acert engine went to the high school Ag/Diesel program. Puckett Machinery, which moves to Flowood this fall, is the CAT Dealer in Central South Mississippi with 411 employees in 15 locations.

“We hope that it will assist instructor Mack Abernathy in teaching the latest engine technology,” said Michele Branch, director of Human Resources for Puckett Machinery. “We at Puckett Machinery Company are big fans of this program as they have produced a number of technicians who are our brightest stars.”

Puckett Machinery has invested in the program in other ways in the past. Two graduates of the program have received scholarships for national training programs.

“Many of their graduates go on to complete the Diesel Program at ̨��ʹٷ���վ’ Raymond, where we recruit their top grads every year,” Bunch said.

Said Eric Smith, director of the Pearl Rankin Career and Technical Center:  “Puckett Machinery continually supports our program by providing the latest equipment for our students. This allows us to train on the latest technology available in industry. Through their support we have been able to provide the community with a highly trained workforce.”

Among the students who will be able to use the engine to learn are, front from left, Ben Pace, Richland High School; Orry Yarbrough, Florence High School; Joey Whatley, McLaurin High School; Peyton Jones, McLaurin High School; Elmer Jones, Brandon High School; Joseph Alderson, Brandon High School; back row, Timothy Merritt, Brandon High School; Peyton Sharplin, Brandon High School; Will Foreman, Brandon High School; Cody Thompson, McLaurin High School and Trey Sparenecht, Brandon High School.