Paris Junior College sophomores Zach Norris and Rachael Gray were named Mr. & Miss PJC 2020 on Wednesday, Feb. 26 during halftime of the men’s basketball game in the Hunt Center.
Faculty and staff nominate students for this honor. The students must be graduating sophomores taking a minimum of 12 semester hours with at least a 2.75 GPA.
Rachael Gray, the daughter of Chip and Tracie Gray, is a 2018 graduate of Heritage High School in Midlothian. She is a member of PTK and the Student Government Association (SGA), as well as a two-year member of the PJC softball team. After PJC, she plans to attend university to become a clinical psychologist and continue playing softball.
Zach Norris, the son of David and Jolita Norris, is a 2018 graduate of Paris H.S. and is a member of the PJC baseball team and PTK. He plans to attend the University of Texas – Arlington to continue his baseball career while pursuing a degree in exercise science to become a physical therapist.
Other nominees for Mr. & Miss PJC included:
Chyna Bell, the daughter of Ron and Stephanie Bell, is a 2018 graduate of Paris High School. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK, the two-year college honor society) and African-American Student Union, and captain of the PJC cheer squad. She plans to attend the PJC nursing program and later further her education in nursing at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Caleb DuBois, the son of Christal and Dwayne DuBois, is a 2018 graduate of Bridge City H.S. He is a member of the PJC baseball team, was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All American, and is a member of PTK. He plans to transfer to a university to become a coach.
Eduardo Flores, the son of Francisco Flores and Ana Lozano, is a 2018 graduate of J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston. A two-year member of the men’s soccer team, he is also a member of PTK and was an NJCAA Academic All American. He plans to transfer to a university to become an electrical engineer and to continue playing soccer.
Sydnee Hawkins, the daughter of John and Susan Mooney and Aaron Hawkins, is a 2017 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School. She is a Sophomore Representative with SGA, Officer of Service with PTK, member of Delta Psi Omega (drama honor society), and sang during both the spring and fall 2019 graduation ceremonies at PJC. She will graduate in May with degrees in music and drama and will audition for several universities for music/theater with plans to be an actress/singer.
Kareyn Hellmann, the daughter of Steven and Michele Hellmann, is a homeschooled student from Paris who will graduate this May from high school and PJC. She has received the PTK Dr. Yolanda B. Romero Scholarship, twice won the PJC William A. Owens writing award, held multiple offices in PTK including as president, won the Walter B. Cooper scholarship, received the PTK Beta Zeta chapter most valuable member award and works in the PJC Writing Lab and for “The Paris News.” After graduation, she plans to transfer to Texas Christian University to pursue degrees in public relations and chemistry. She also hopes to one day publish a novel.
Emily Nance, the daughter of James and Annabell Nance, is a 2018 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School. She is a member of PTK and the vice president of the National Technical Honor Society. She plans to become a dental hygienist.
Lucas Rolf, the son of Monty and Alicia Duck, is a 2018 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. He is a drama student, has appeared in several productions at PJC and is currently the president of Delta Psi Omega. He plans to study agriculture business and ranch management at Texas Tech University.
Wilson Roubion, the son of David and Tracy Roubion, is a 2018 graduate of College Station High School. He is a member of the PJC baseball team and was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All American. He plans to transfer to university to continue his baseball career and pursue a degree in kinesiology.
