Seventh grader, Ruth Boehme, is one of the students who received the new technology.“Relief...so much. It was a lot because the computers were a pain,” said Boehme.
Alice Vail, Secrist and Utterback Middle Schools are three of the 561 schools across the country that are a part of Verizon’s program. “It really does open up a new world meaning it does give them the opportunity to connect because our devices come with a data package," said Secrist Middle School Principal, Debbee Garcia.“We did apply two years ago and we were not successful and so we got together as a leadership team and decided you know what, we’re going to apply again,” said Garcia.
Applying again landed new efforts to support students who might not have internet access or the technology they need for homework. "If they have homework, collaborative grouping type of assignments, they’re able to gain access to internet, to teams-- anything that they need will be at the touch of a fingertip,” said Garcia.“It makes me feel better because now I know that if I leave a pencil at school or forget my work, Iknow that I can always come to this and it’s always rechargeable,” said Saidel.“It’s awesome. It’s mind blowing, actually,” said Boehme.Faith Abercrombie is a reporter for KGUN 9.