For the second year, members of a University of Mount Union group have helped to make the transition between pre- and post-graduation more seamless for Alliance High School students.
Enactus, a student-run group on the Mount Union campus, recently donated computers to AHS through its “2nd Life Laptop” initiative. The project puts second-hand laptops into the hands of soon-to-be grads to help them with what comes next.
What comes next may be college or careers. Wherever their journeys take these seniors, chances are very good that computing power will be necessary.
Readers of a certain age may well remember a time when going off to college meant a backseat filled with a few boxes of books and nicknacks along with some clothes and maybe a stereo system and old TV.
Gone for the most part are the stereos and TVs, replaced by digital music collections and streaming services, both accessed through a phone. A laptop takes over for the bigger jobs, like term papers and online learning platforms.
For students who aren’t going to college, a laptop makes it easier to pay bills and access essential news and information, such as tax documents.
Additionally, by collecting and removing personal data from donated laptops, the Enactus group is keeping these electronics out of landfills and giving them a productive new lease on life. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that recycling one million laptops saves as much energy as the electrical output of 3,500 homes in the U.S. annually.
While Enactus is not recycling that quantity of laptops (yet), every little bit helps. And, just as importantly, it helps local young adults just starting out in life by providing some extra computing power.
Watch for marathon trainers, pedestrians
Congratulations to Gary Pate of Alliance, who recently completed the Boston Marathon in an impressive time.
Just getting to Boston to compete is an accomplishment. A few years back, only 4.3% of all marathon finishers had times fast enough to qualify for Boston, which recently raised its standards even higher.
Pate, according to information shared with The Review, finished in 3:08:43. He’s a bit of an anomaly in the elite-marathon world because he’s relatively new to the sport, having started seriously running just six years ago. He’s also finished marathons in Cleveland and Canton.
Pate’s passion for running is also a reminder to motorists in the Alliance area to pay special attention to future potential Boston Marathoners and all other pedestrians who share the road with cars.
Drivers should take extra care at intersections, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and leave plenty of space when passing runners, walkers and cyclists. Driving the speed limit is one of the best ways to avoid accidents, as it gives drivers more chances to brake.
Congratulations again to Pate on his accomplishment, and safe training to him and all other runners this spring and summer.
