Ten Lake View Students Receive Free Computers and Internet Access

The bank partnered with the non-profit organization PCs for People to provide each of the 10 students with a desktop computer and a mobile hot-spot with 1 year of internet access included. 

First National Bank of Mertzon Senior Vice President Brian Ruppert said that the goal of the program was to help narrow the digital divide - the gap between those who have access to modern information and communications technology, and those that don't or have restricted access. "SAISD has done a good job of addressing this with Wi-Fi on campuses and the new initiative to put Wi-Fi on school buses," said Ruppert. "But we wanted to take it a little bit farther and allow these kids to have internet access and computers at home." This access makes it easier for students to complete homework assignments online from the comfort of their own homes. 

The 10 students were chosen because they are enrolled in multiple dual credit courses and were identified as students who could benefit from the program. Ruppert said that the computers will help these students as they prepare for college. "These are some hard working, well deserving kids. They're taking dual credit classes. They're going to be looking for college applications down the road, and college scholarships. And this allows them to do it at home and not worry about where they're going to find internet access."

Lake View High School Associate Principal Dr. Jason Skelton also acknowledged the benefits the students will see from these computers beyond their senior year. "Not only can they have the computers now, they can take them to college and be one step ahead and be ready for the college coursework that they're going to have to take on."

The ten students who received computers are Christopher Chappa, Destiny Flores, Robert Garcia, Cody Guinn, Tomas Briones, Erika Garcia, Andrea Hernandez, Emely Cortina, Antonio Ponciano, and Jacynda Morales.