Time typically spent typing up homework assignments after school in the computer lab at Olga Reed Elementary School will finally be spent in front of a brand-new laptop screen in the privacy of the twin girls’ Los Alamos home.
When eighth-graders Denis and Genesis Gervacio moved to the United States from Mexico four years ago, they set their minds on learning the English language and getting good grades.
The identical twins are now on the path to college, which could be a tough road without the proper tools.
That’s where the new laptop and printer donations from the Santa Maria business community come in.
“I want to thank the program,” Denis said on Wednesday following the Business Appreciation Luncheon put on by the Santa Maria Valley Industry Education Council and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Gervacio sisters received one of seven computers doled out through Computer Connections, a partnership between the two organizations to give computers to deserving, under-served students to use toward their education.
The computers were presented to two high school, three junior high and three elementary school students from four local districts during Wednesday’s luncheon, with Bob Hatch, chamber president/CEO, encouraging those in attendance to continue making donations to keep the nine-year program going.
More than 160 computers have been awarded so far, he said, and the chamber has vowed to keep it going.
“It goes without saying that this is what it’s all about,” Hatch said, motioning toward students who humbly accepted their gifts after being picked by the schools.
The luncheon celebrated all business partnerships with the valley’s education community, and school district superintendents awarded plaques to special volunteers or businesses that went above and beyond service.
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Superintendent Doug Kimberly thanked Westburg & White, Inc. Architects and Planners for diligent work spent on current construction projects — a performing arts center at Pioneer Valley High School — and past ones, such as building plans for Pioneer so it could open in 2004.
“We were literally busting at the seams,” Kimberly said, referring to high enrollment at Santa Maria and Righetti high schools.
Guadalupe Union School District Superintendent Ed Cora gave a shout out to Santa Barbara Foundation’s Katherine Harvey Fellows for the $15,000 donation to expand its preschool program.
At the conclusion of the luncheon, Denis and Genesis picked up their computer to take home, accompanied by Olga Reed eighth-grade teacher Mike Luis.
“They’re wonderful young ladies,” said Luis, who nominated the shy, soft-spoken 13-year-old girls for the program. “I knew it would make such a difference in their high school careers.”
source : santamariatimes.com
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