Odessa College hosted a Back to School Expo showcasing local jobs on Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. The event honored first responders while featuring aspects of professions withing the Odessa Police Department and Odessa Fire Rescue.
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Odessa Police Department’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Corporal Taylor Box, left, watches as Hunter Powell, 8, pretends to operate the police department’s Caliber T-5 bomb disposal robot during Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. The event featured resources for students interested in enrolling in first responder programs as well as hands on activities with equipment used by local departments. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa College volunteers help families collect information packets and sign up for a raffle during Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa College volleyball athletes Bryanna Ordaz, left, and Kayla Williams, center, talk to OC2UTPB program representatives during Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Assistant Fire Chief Saul Ortega, second from right, gives a safety briefing to firefighters before the start of Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
The Puente family poses for a photo with Odessa College’s mascot Willie the Wrangler during OC’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa Police Department’s Sergeant Rusty Martin lifts off his drone while demonstrating technology used within the department during Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
An Odessa Fire Rescue firefighter dangles from a ladder truck while demonstrating techniques used within their job during Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa College President Greg Williams welcomes guests to Odessa College’s first Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa College Chair of Visual and Performing Arts Eric Baker plays “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the start of Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa Police Department Chief Mike Gerke, left, and Odessa Fire Rescue Chief John Alvarez, center, bow their heads during a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting in Odessa on August 31 and the September 11 terrorist attacks while attending Odessa College’s Back to School Expo honoring first responders Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at Woodson Park. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Odessa Fire Rescue firefighters S. Hill and E. Day participate in the Odessa College Back to School Expo on Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Raphaela Oliveira and Camila Canedo of the Odessa College volleyball team get ready for the Back to School Expo on Tuesday evening. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Willie the Wrangler poses for a photo opportunity during Odessa College's Back to School Expo on Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Speakers present during the Odessa College Back to School Expo on Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. The Odessa Police Department showcased their drone during the event. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Zanthony Redic, age 10, puts out a fire simulation during the Odessa College Back to School Expo on Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
Two children participate in the donut eating contest during the Odessa College Back to School Expo on Tuesday evening at Woodson Park. (B Kay Richter/Odessa American)
