Fredericksburg.com - New group gives laptops to area students in need

BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

Last year, Travis Whitlock's math teacher challenged the class to boost their skills using an educational website.

As students racked up points, the teacher rewarded them with candy, and stars with their names on them if they got 1,000 points.

The challenge was especially difficult for Travis because his family didn't have a working computer at home.

so Travis, now 13, had to go to the library or to a family friend's house to log on to the math site.

Travis didn't immediately think about homework assignments when he received his first laptop from a new nonprofit group that aims to bridge the technology divide between the lower and middle classes. Educational Technology Empowering Kids gave laptops to Travis and 49 other teens who have mentors from Rappahannock big Brothers big Sisters.

"I'm happy I can finally get back on the Internet and socialize," Travis said as he and his mentor, Chip Waldrop tried to log on to the Web at Wytestone Suites in Massaponax, where ETEK held its first event, giving away laptops during a small ceremony.

"Socialize--and what?" Waldrop prompted.

"Watch videos on YouTube," Travis replied with a smile.

He is 13, after all. and that was part of the ETEK's intent, said Tony Seals, who created the initiative. Seals runs Cortek, a Fredericksburg defense contracting company. He wants to provide a way for employees to help the community, and ETEK was launched as part of that initiative.

ETEK's volunteers hope to help youths succeed in school, and know that computer access is important.

But lack of technology doesn't just impede academics. these days, when conversations and party invitations come via Facebook and Twitter messages, a computer can mean fitting in.

Waldrop believes Travis will use the laptop for more than just Facebook and YouTube, though.

"This will help his studies, and when he needs to do research he can get on the Internet," Waldrop said. "This is good for his schoolwork."

Drew Middle School student Viviana Morales immediately checked her Facebook page with her new laptop Friday night. But she plans to put the device to academic work right away.

Fredericksburg.com - New group gives laptops to area students in need