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Appalachian Student Turns Old Computers Into Opportunities
Some Kentucky students
just have a knack for turning  youthful
energy into action. Elizabeth Scoville is one of those students. Not
long ago, around the time of all those Y2K worries, Elizabeth saw an
opportunity to help those in need in her community in Laurel County.
What happened was...well...we'll let her tell you what happened.
In her Own Words
When I
entered elementary school, only about 50 percent of adults over the
age of twenty-five in Laurel County had graduated from high school,
and only about 8 percent had earned a bachelor's degree. In order to
prepare for a bright future, this area must focus on educating its children.
If we can educate the children, we can ensure that they will someday
be able to support and feed their own families, hopefully ending the
tradition of poverty that has bec ome
characteristic of the Appalachian area. To make an education complete,
all students need to have experience working with computers. In today's
world, computers and technology are used in almost every profession.
When I realized how many students in my school didn't have computers
at home, I knew that I needed to do something about the problem. I feel
that it is important for every student to have a computer in their home,
so that they can gain the knowledge and experience they need by using
these machines. The idea for my project came during the Y2K scare. Many
businesses were upgrading their computers because of this problem. I
decided to contact local businesses to see if they would donate their
old computers to needy children.
Process
To begin the
"Computers for Kids" project, I first had to get the support
of local businesses. I wrote letters and contacted businesses about
donating computers for the project. I wasn't expecting a very good response
from the businesses because computers are very expensive items. I was
surprised to find that many businesses were having trouble getting rid
of their old computers and were more than willing to donate them to
my project. Each computer I collect must be cleaned and repaired before
it can be given to a student. I often format hard drives, install programs,
and fix hardware problems. This is the most difficult part of my project.
Troubleshooting with computers can be lengthy, frustrating, and complicated.
I had to learn to use a lot of patience to get through this part of
the project. When a computer is ready, I work with teachers and counselors
from my school to select a student to receive the computer. Recipients
are chosen based on need and effort in school. Each recipient is given
training on how to use his or her computer. I held longer training sessions
for those students who felt that they needed more help.
Impact
Many of the students that received computers had very little, if any,
experience working with computers. These students have been given an
opportunity to gain computer knowledge that they will be able to use
for the rest of their life. Teachers have reported how happy their students
were to get the computers and how the students immediately seemed to
become computer literate. I am most proud of the fact that my project
showed these students that someone cares enough about them to give them
a computer. Several of the students who received computers have very
bad situations at home. I dealt with everything from students who had
been kicked out of their own home to students who were living with extended
family for various reasons. The one thing that all the students had
in common was their desire to succeed despite of their situation. Computers
are expensive items and it is hard to get them donated. When I started
this project, I set a goal to place 10 computers in the hands of needy
students. So far I have provided 35 students with computers and have
several other computers in the process of finding new owners. I plan
to continue this project as long as I can. I am currently looking for
a group or organization that will work with my project so that it can
ensure it will continue after I enter college. The project, which at
first just impacted my school, has already expanded from Laurel County
to Harlan County. I am currently working with the Kentucky Department
of Education's Student
Technology Leadership Program (STLP) to expand the project into
high schools all over the state.
Experiences
I have learned
a lot from this experience. I have learned that one person can make
a big difference in their community and in other peoples lives. I never
dreamed that this project would have the impact that it did. The most
important skill I gained from this activity was learning to use an amount
of patience that I never had to use before. I learned to be patient
and work hard- the rewards would come later. I would labor for hours
preparing a computer, but my patience and hard work would pay when I
was actually able to give the computer to a student. This is the most
memorable part of my project, because it makes everything worth it to
see how happy the students are to get their computer. When I was giving
one of the first computers away, the child's aunt gave me a hug and
said, "God bless you." The incident made me feel that my project,
which was still in its early stages, had already accomplished its most
important goal of helping make these students' lives a little better.
If I could tell other young people something about this experience,
I would tell them that they can make a difference. They shouldn't worry
about how little or insignificant their projects seem, because it is
the little things that make a difference. Sometimes it may be a computer
that opens the door for a child's dreams, or other times it may just
be the simple act of kindness. Either way you will know that you helped
fulfill that child's dreams, and that is the greatest feeling.
For More Information
STLP Schools across Kentucky will be joining Elizabeth's quest to get
Computers to Kids. In September, mark your calendar to visit their Website
at http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oet/customer/stlp/ckids
to learn more about how your local STLP can further this project.
Elizabeth
Scoville is a member of the Academic and Future Problem Solving Teams,
Mu Alpha Theta, President of the Beta Club, Vice President of National
Honor Society, and a member of the Girl Scouts. She has received the
Prudential Spirit of Community Award and The Governor's Award for Outstanding
Volunteer Service. You can contact her at: Elizabeth Scoville P.O. Box
553 East Bernstadt, KY 40729 or by email at computers_4_kids@hotmail.com
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