Gentlemen, start your engines

Students in Lyndsey Davie’s small-power class at Henry County High school recently received a gift of 10 brand-new engines from Briggs & Stratton.

Jonna Spelbring Priester

Sam Wilson, Nathan Paris and Trask assess a problem that was preventing an engine from starting.

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Jonna Spelbring Priester

Small-power teacher Lyndsey Davie tries to fire up an engine while Downey and Paris hold it steady.

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Jonna Spelbring Priester

Shawn Downey, Aaron Trask and Taylor Henry examine the magneto on Trask’s engine.

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During the class, Davie said, the students learn about safety, tools, engine principles, carburetion, pistons, ignition systems, engine performance, and careers and entrepreneurship, spending equal time in the classroom and in the shop.

“The students learn technical skills, but we also focus on work related skills such as communication, working with a team, organization, and taking care of tools and your workspace,” Davie said.

Davies said the school’s Small Power Team — made up of Eli Beggs, Vincent Bates, Taylor Henry and Codie Raisor — won a regional competition and will compete again during the Kentucky State Fair in August.

In addition to the donation from Briggs & Stratton, Davie said the class has received donations of supplies from Wright Small Engine, help from NAPA Auto Parks in Shelbyville and Frankfort, and the school’s maintenance staff, who drove to Murray to get the engines.