Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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TULSA, OK - Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy, donated over 40 central processing units, 10 monitors, and other assorted computer equipment to Sequoyah High School (Sequoyah) in Talequah, Oklahoma on December 3, 2002.

Sequoyah Principal Gina Stanley says the school will install the equipment in the residential facilities so that students can work during after-school hours to make up credits for graduation.

"A lot of the kids that come to us have fallen behind academically," Stanley explains. "We need to gain as much ground as possible, and research has shown that computers can help."

Stanley says that the computers donated by Southwestern will be used to run PLATO, an academic assessment program. "We want the students to have access after school so they can make up time and move on to graduation and other successes," she says.

"In addition to providing coursework for graduation, the donated computers will help complete the last phase of Internet connectivity for each dorm room" said Tony Pivec, Superintendent. "In recent weeks, the SHS staff has done an excellent job creating a network so that our students may access the Internet and other software programs from the comfort of their dorm rooms."

Students at Sequoyah originate from 42 different tribes and 14 different states. The school is funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and administered through the Cherokee Nation.

Southwestern Native American Programs Manager Marti Ayers says that she and Human Resources Director Colin Kelley thought about Sequoyah because Carver Middle School, Southwestern's Adopt-A-School partner, did not need the computer equipment. "They said they were full up, so when Colin suggested we give the equipment to Sequoyah, I thought it was a great idea," Ayers says.

Southwestern Power Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. Its mission is to market and reliably deliver Federal hydroelectric power with preference to public bodies and cooperatives. This is accomplished by maximizing the use of Federal assets to repay the Federal investment while balancing power needs with the diverse interests of other water resource users, and implementing public policy.