Students begin computer program - 20 disadvantaged middle schoolers can earn PCs

So far, Sidney Board, 14, knows how to get on the Internet, and she likes making slide shows on a computer. That pretty well sums up her computer knowledge.

But that's about to change.

Board is one of 20 middle school students who will learn the ins and outs of computers as a member of the Owensboro site for Tubby's Clubhouse/Dell TechKnow program.

The free after-school program for disadvantaged students features 40 hours of computer technology instruction. At graduation, the teens get to take home their computers and will have all the necessary techno tools to run them.

That package will include a Lexmark printer and speakers, one year of free Internet access from BellSouth, AOL or another provider and a six-month maintenance contract.

"This is one of the most exciting programs I've been involved in," said Steve Winkler, executive director of the Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club. "The hours, between 3 and 5 p.m., are similar to our center's hours and are the times when most kids get into trouble."

The Boys & Girls Club and Owensboro Public Schools are part of a broad community collaboration working with the Tubby Smith Foundation and Dell Inc. to offer the program in Owensboro.

The students, along with representatives of the Tubby Smith Foundation, and a host of other partners attended the program kickoff at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at OMS.

"This is what our future is all about," said Superintendent Larry Vick. "If we don't do a good job with these kids, then we're in trouble."

Owensboro Public Schools is providing the transportation for students who will meet two days per week. Buses already are used at the middle school for other after-school programs.

Sharon Westerfield, the OMS computer technician, will teach students how to take apart the computer and put it back together, add memory, switch out a hard drive, install a modem and software, run basic programs and navigate the Internet safely for research.

Winkler credits Owensboro businessman Terry Woodward with convincing Smith and Van Florence, director of the Tubby Smith Foundation, to start one of the programs in Owensboro.

Smith is the University of Kentucky men's basketball coach.

Woodward, owner and president of WaxWorks Inc., said Florence told him about the computer program during Smith's charity golf tournament in Lexington. The proceeds of that event go to the foundation.

"Five years ago, I said, 'Why don't we do this in Owensboro,' " Woodward told Tuesday's group. "Van said he had his hands full then with the others they had started in Lexington."

Lexington has five sites.

Woodward said he heard Smith say he'd like to have one more site.

"I started politickin' last year for it to be in Owensboro," he said.

A fundraising dinner was held in August, and the plans for the local program were formalized.

Florence called the Lexington programs' success "remarkable."

Of about 620 students who have been enrolled, 603 have graduated. They have cut the cost per student from $1,000 to $271.

The foundation started another program in northern Kentucky, and a privately funded one is operated in Maysville. Owensboro brings the total to eight.

Florence said the key to success is finding the right students. The program is designed for low-income, disadvantaged youths who don't have the same opportunities others may have -- including computers at home.

Other criteria include at least a C average, good attendance and good discipline records and a parent who will attend an orientation session and support the student.

Students went to the computer lab briefly Tuesday and then went back to a regular classroom for a computer presentation.

Garrett Parm, 14, said he's looking forward to getting a computer.

"I want to learn how to fix one and know what to do with one," Parm said. "I know I'll go through the whole program. ... I'm going to take myself to the top."

Board said she wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up. She's been noticing that her sisters and friends seek her advice on fashion. She, too, intends to graduate.

Florence said the programs have been fine-tuned and now involve a whole "melting pot of different kinds of sponsors."

The class mix includes 10 students from the Boys & Girls Club, six from city schools and two each from Girls Inc. and the H. L. Neblett Community Center.

The program will be in place for at least three years with a one-year renewable contract with Dell, Winkler said.

"I want this to become a regular part of our programming, and I hope more sponsors want to sign on for it," he said.