8/9/07
TechBridge program unites young people with technology
By Eric Goold
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Betty Bosier, director of the Paxville CDC, presents a plaque to Darryl Johnson, director of the SCSU 1890 Extension Program, during a graduation ceremony for the TechBridge Summer Computer Camp at the Zion Hill Baptist Church last Tuesday. |
Twelve students from the area went home with brand new computers last Tuesday night.
And they don’t have to worry about making repairs. If the computers break down, the students will be able to fix them themselves.
In partnership with the South Carolina State University 1890 Extension Program, the Paxville Community Development Center ran a camp this summer called TechBridge.
The camp lasted over 132 hours and involved teaching 12 outstanding local junior high school students how to build a computer from scratch, and then how to run the computer.
At a graduation ceremony for the 12 students at the Zion Hill Baptist Church last Tuesday evening, participants, parents, teachers and community leaders met to celebrate the achievement.
“In the TechBridge program, I met many challenges,” said student RayQuan Georgia. “But I overcame them. I really enjoyed the program and I will recommend it to other students next year.”
The chapel at Zion Hill was almost completely full of family members, media representatives and volunteers who praised the teachers and students for their hard work in the TechBridge program.
While other students were enjoying their summer vacations and relaxing in their time away from school, the hardworking 12 youngsters of TechBridge were at the Paxville CDC every day, putting in time and effort learning how to build computers from scratch.
The TechBridge computer camp was a six-week academic and technology program for the students from Paxville, Sumter, Manning and Summerton. Objectives of the program included computer assembly, academic enhancement in reading and math through technology, introduction to computers and keyboarding, career exploration, employability skills training, citizenship training and Internet exploration and safety.
“It’s a challenge to compete in the high-tech world,” said Catherine Conyers, who taught the students along with Ruth Maple.
“TechBridge helps lay a foundation early on to pave the way to high-tech careers,” said Conyers.
Parents of the students were pleased with the program.
“I was impressed with the well-rounded program the students were offered this summer,” said Pamela Scott, mother of TechBridge participant John Scott. “Besides computers and technology, I was impressed that the students also were taught etiquette and social skills.”
Douglas Riley, father of student Jazmine Riley, agreed.
“TechBridge was a wonderful, good program,” said Riley. “If we could get more of these every year it would help a lot of kids.”
Darryl Johnson, director of South Carolina State University’s 1890 Extension Program, presided over the graduation ceremony. Johnson and Betty Bosier, director of the Paxville CDC, handed out certificates of achievement to the students and also presented awards to the teachers, parents and participants in the TechBridge program.
Drefus Williams, chairman of the Paxville CDC, addressed the 12 students at the end of the ceremony.
“Don’t let it end here,” said Williams. “We want you to use your computers to improve your futures. You are our future.”
The 12 TechBridge students were known collectively as “The Pantheon.” These dedicated and impressive young students deserve congratulations.
The Pantheon consisted of Patrice Abraham, Jabril Bell, RayQuan Georgia, Myeisha Glover, Kendra Logan, India McBride, Alexis Quaynor, Teon Ragin, Benny Richburg Jr., Jazmine Riley, John Scott and Shanice Wilson. |
