Stuart HS students are refurbishing old computers for those in need
 |
| Aneesh Chopra, a candidate for lieutenant governor (center), with Stuart students Georgie Jones, Quan Huynh, Aidan Jones (a student at Glasgow), Tin Nguyen, and Imad Elamir. |
Because students without a computer or internet access are
at a clear disadvantage, a group of students at JEB Stuart High School is refurbishing old computers and giving them to needy families as part of an
after-school club affiliated with the VA Star program.
at a clear disadvantage, a group of students at JEB Stuart High School is refurbishing old computers and giving them to needy families as part of an
after-school club affiliated with the VA Star program.
Stuart 10th-grader Imad Elamir said he and the other VA Star
students stayed at school until 7 p.m. last Friday to work on the first batch
of 20 desktop computers. The computers will be distributed free of charge to
students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
students stayed at school until 7 p.m. last Friday to work on the first batch
of 20 desktop computers. The computers will be distributed free of charge to
students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
Georgie Jones, an 11th grader at Stuart and vice president
of the Raiders Care club, says Falls Church High School and Glasgow Middle School are interested in starting VA Star clubs.
VA Star (Student Training and Refurbishment) is a statewide
initiative championed by Aneesh Chopra, the former secretary of technology
under Gov. Tim Kaine and former chief technology officer in the Obama
Administration.
initiative championed by Aneesh Chopra, the former secretary of technology
under Gov. Tim Kaine and former chief technology officer in the Obama
Administration.
Chopra, a candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor in the
Democratic primary, lauded VA Star at a campaign event in Lake Braddock March 10, saying it
exemplifies “everything you want government to be.” He told the audience, which
included several Stuart students, that VA Star fits in with his goal to make the
commonwealth’s government “faster, better, smarter, and fairer.”
Democratic primary, lauded VA Star at a campaign event in Lake Braddock March 10, saying it
exemplifies “everything you want government to be.” He told the audience, which
included several Stuart students, that VA Star fits in with his goal to make the
commonwealth’s government “faster, better, smarter, and fairer.”
Chopra said the idea for the program came from an intern in
his office in 2008. Instead of paying to dispose of old computers, this program
helps young people learn about computer repair while helping to close the
digital divide. At the same time, the
students earn industry certifications that can help them get into college.
his office in 2008. Instead of paying to dispose of old computers, this program
helps young people learn about computer repair while helping to close the
digital divide. At the same time, the
students earn industry certifications that can help them get into college.
Chuck Drake, a teacher in Prince William County, won a
competition to design the program, and he is now administering Va Star for the
state. Gov. Bob McDonnell embraced the concept and provided an additional $400,000
to scale it up, Chopra says. It has since spread to dozens of schools,
including Luther Jackson and Herndon middle schools and Chantilly and Fairfax
high schools.
competition to design the program, and he is now administering Va Star for the
state. Gov. Bob McDonnell embraced the concept and provided an additional $400,000
to scale it up, Chopra says. It has since spread to dozens of schools,
including Luther Jackson and Herndon middle schools and Chantilly and Fairfax
high schools.
Great Job! It is encouraging to see committed students working with industry and government to improve the lives of others by distributing
refurbished equipment which will enable families to succeed and share in the learning experience. Va Star Students are Heroes bringing opportunity and hope for a bright future. Bravo!
Are they taking donations? My 2007 HP A1730N is p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y slow, but it does work…would they be interested in it?