Funding, Grants & Awards

8-Year-Old Wins Tech Portfolio for Her School

• By Michael Hart
• 04/09/15

An 8-year-old in East Los Angeles won her elementary school a portfolio of technology for its computer lab that will make it one of the most tech-savvy in its part of the city.

Dorris Place Elementary School third-grader Gala Lennane-Gordon wrote the winning essay in Ingram Micro's Promise of Technology Contest, in which students at K-12 public schools in six Southern California counties were asked to explain why their schools deserved the equipment.

In her essay, Lennane-Gordon wrote, "I don't want us to score low and be labeled [negatively]. I want us to do our best and be recognized for how special we are."

As a consequence, the winner of the IT makeover will receive a wide variety of equipment and software, including 40 Chromebooks, 12 tablets, at least five printers, five whiteboards, four floor carts, a charging station and 350 USB drives. Installation will be provided for all the equipment as well. The package is being provided by 12 sponsors ranging from Samsung and Xerox to GeoVision, Peerless-AV and NG IT Solutions.

The competition was organized by Ingram Micro, a technology distribution company.

"Serving the community is a vital part of our company culture," said Ingram Micro Executive Vice President Paul Bay. "Getting to extend the love of technology to these children has been a truly memorable experience."

Lennane-Gordon's essay went on to describe how her school, at which 80 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, had mostly malfunctioning and older equipment that made it difficult for students to prepare for standardized tests.

"We are over the moon about this," said Dorris Place Principal Susan D. Schmidt. "This is a terrific opportunity for our children."