USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) donated 96 computers and monitors to the Central Kitsap School District Tuesday.
This was the second batch of computers that Stennis has donated. The first delivery of 100 computers and monitors were given to the South Kitsap School District in March.
Stennis is able to donate the PCs to the Central Kitsap and South Kitsap school districts because of an executive order enacted April 17, 1996, which authorizes the donation of serviceable military computers to schools. Both school districts will distribute the computers among their schools.
“When we donate the used workstations it represents an opportunity to put them once more to good use to further the goals of our society,” said Stennis Commanding Officer, Capt. Brad Johanson. “Furthering the educational opportunities of our adolescents is one of the many goals of American society and it’s something we aboard Stennis are proud to participate in.”
Those receiving the computers say they are very grateful.
“Thank you (Stennis),” said Derry Lyons, director of information technology services for South Kitsap School District. “It’s tough for us because we don’t have a lot of resources to buy newer computers.”
While in some cases the students will get an added workstation, the biggest benefit is the speed at which the newer computers run.
“This allows us to put in faster, newer computers,” said Lyons. “In a lot of cases, the students don’t even use the old computers anymore because they’re too slow.”
For the sailors aboard Stennis, this computer donation will also benefit them as some of their children who attend schools in those districts take advantage of the new opportunity.
“I think it’s a great deal,” explained Lt. j.g. Corey Fenwick, Stennis’ automated data processing officer. “My kids go to Central Kitsap schools, they don’t have a lot of computers and the ones they have are very old.”
Even Stennis sailors who don’t have children in these schools are looking at the benefits, both for the schools and Stennis.
“It’s great that everybody wins on this,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW) David Hornsby. “We get newer, faster computers and the kids get computers at their schools. So everybody really benefits. Who knows, maybe one of the students will grow up to be an IT (Information Systems Technician), too.”
This donation is only one of many areas in which Stennis is reaching out to the local community. Sailors from Stennis participate regularly in numerous community relations projects throughout Kitsap County.
