Fifty-six Einstein High School students showed off their computer skills as well as their altruism Thursday morning when they donated six computers they had refurbished to the Potomac Chinese School.
“Access to technology is no longer a choice,” said Einstein 11th grader Joshua Saintilma. By donating these computers, “we are helping to ensure no one is left behind.”
The Network Operations students refurbish computers all year round and then sell them, explained teacher Joseph Hegler. For the Potomac School, the students reconditioned the computers with operating systems, monitors, keyboards, mice and a printer.
These computers will be used by students who attend Potomac Chinese School on Sundays. The school operates out of Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac.
“Thanks for putting together all these wonderful things for us,” said Jingfeng Huang, the school’s secretary. “I sincerely hope all the people who speak English and Chinese and Mandarin can be friends.”
He added, “I think there are many things we can do together.”
Huang hoped his students will learn to take apart the computers, study the individual components and then put them back together. The Potomac Chinese School plans to add a new computer hardware and software programming course to its classes on language and culture.
The students are part of the Information Technology Foundation Computer Lab. Executive Vice President Steve Boden praised the computer gifting.
“It’s such a timely experience to give back to the community at this time of Thanksgiving,” he said. “I am grateful for the work of these students here at Einstein High School.”
11th grader Samuel Quintanilla said it’s difficult to imagine life without cell phones and computers. “It seems like technology touches every part of your life.”
That is why he was “honored” to give this community access to the same information he has.
The ITF is a non-profit organization established cooperatively by the Montgomery County business community and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
