Heritage High School Governor’s STEM Academy and the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment Program (STAR) are giving high school students who attend Newport News Public Schools a chance to win a free computer. Students can enter the contest by answering “How will access to technology from home help me to become College, Career, and Citizen Ready” by submitting a written essay with a minimum of 250 words or posting a one minute video to Instagram or Twitter. Entries are due by Friday, April 13. Essays and can be emailed to chinell.callwood@nn.k12.va.us, mailed or delivered to Chinell Callwood at Heritage High School, 5800 Marshall Avenue, Newport News, VA 23605, or faxed to (757) 247-9058.

Heritage High School Governor’s STEM Academy’s program refurbishes surplus computer hardware to donate to students and families in need. Virginia STAR is a statewide program that gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience repairing used computer equipment and earn IT repair certifications.

Government agencies and private organizations donate surplus computers, monitors and other equipment to VA STAR and then the equipment is distributed to participating schools. Students in the Computer Information Systems course at Heritage reset computer hard drives, replace missing and broken parts and install operating systems and software. When the computer systems are restored to good working condition, the students host a Bridging the Gap event and donate the computer systems to local students and families.

For more information about the contest and to get an application, contact program administrator Chinell Callwood at 757-928-6100 ext. 1767 or visit the NNPS website. Winners will be notified by April 18 and are required to attend the Virginia STAR “Bridging the Gap” ceremony on Thursday, April 26 at Heritage High School.