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TECHNOLOGY
- September 2002 by Ed Ford A Story of Revival Each recipient says “Thank you” and, frequently, parents add “God bless you.” And hugs are plentiful. Those expressions of gratitude have been heaped on Elizabeth Scoville for some three years for what she has accomplished in recycling old computers and providing them to youngsters who’ve never had nor could afford one. A North Laurel High School senior, Elizabeth has acquired, refurbished and donated more than 40 computers that otherwise could have found their way to a landfill scrap heap. On a smaller scale, the 16-year-old is accomplishing what the McConnell Technology and Training Center (MTTC) in Louisville has achieved – finding new homes for outdated computer equipment. Elizabeth’s salvage and recycling effort began as a Girl Scout Gold Award project. “When I began the project it was during the whole Y2K situation,” she said. “There were so many businesses upgrading and getting rid of computers and I realized that many students at my school didn’t have computers. I thought recycling would be a good way to handle things.” With the help of her father, John, a retired social studies teacher, Elizabeth initially wrote 30 letters to companies that might be interested in providing her their old computers. That was followed by another 30 letters and the interest and response began to grow. John found himself in a support role, traveling to such places as Frankfort, Lexington and Corbin to pick up the electronic discards. His new farm shed became the facility to store the donations. “Some of the computers needed parts and Elizabeth cannibalized some to get parts for others,” he said. “She’s done troubleshooting on some that probably is far beyond the worth of the computer. But she’s kept them out of the landfill, and that’s one of the benefits.” North Laurel teachers and counselors searched for and recommended students who did not have computers at home. A number of North Laurel students were beneficiaries in addition to several Hazel Green and London elementary school youngsters and two in Harlan County. Students selected were those seeking to achieve and who most likely would benefit from a computer. Elizabeth would talk with the students and make sure the transaction was okay with their parents. Computers then were presented and Elizabeth made arrangements to train the recipients on how to use them. Training, usually 30 minutes per student, is done after school. On some occasions, however, Elizabeth has done workshops for several students of two or more hours, providing more detail. Initially, Elizabeth set a goal of refurbishing and placing computers with 10 students, fulfilling the last qualification for the Gold Award, the Girl Scout equivalent of Scouting’s Eagle award. But the project was so well received, she decided to continue. As the refurbishing and placement numbers increased, the project got a name – Computers for Kids – and the faculty at North Laurel urged Elizabeth to apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. A record 28,000 students applied last year for the Prudential Insurance Company honor, which recognizes middle and high school students who demonstrate exemplary community service. Elizabeth was one of 104 students who received awards in May. Her mother, Lawana – a science teacher at North Laurel – and her father accompanied her to Washington, D.C. for award ceremonies. Bud Stuber, owner/operator of The Computer Place, a sales and service firm in London, is among those who appreciate what Elizabeth is accomplishing. Stuber, who assisted a local 4-H group with an earlier computer recycling program, is well aware of landfill problems where electronic equipment is concerned. “The worst problem is with the monitors,” Stuber commented. “There’s seven pounds of lead in each monitor picture tube and there’s no good way to dispose of it. You can imagine what’s happening to landfills where monitors have been deposited.” Elizabeth, an honor student at North Laurel, is looking toward college and a possible career in medicine. She already has spent hundreds of hours on her project and its anticipated growth will bring a greater time crunch. But, there’s a possible solution. “I’m hoping to get the project incorporated into a school program, maybe through clubs,” she said. “Students and clubs can be involved in obtaining computers and helping repair them. And that way, the project could have a place to branch off into other areas.” The possibility of a statewide computer recycling project is a long-term dream for Elizabeth, something her father, as a former educator, relishes. Scoville cites the benefits of communities sharing in the recycling effort and incorporating technical skills into school systems. Scoville, incidentally, made sure his son, John C., and Elizabeth learned properly about computers. As eighth graders, both built their own computers and learned to make repairs as needed. John C., a recent University of Kentucky graduate in physics and mathematics, will begin graduate work in scientific computing and computational mathematics next fall at Stanford University. Those interested in contributing to the Computers for Kids project should contact Elizabeth or John Scoville at P.O. Box 553, East Bernstadt, Ky. 40729, or by e-mail at jscoville@kih.net or computers _4_kids@hotmail.com. Computers with Windows 95 or later operating systems are preferred. Also, make contact
if you’d like to help the project expand. For Elizabeth, that would
be “a really big hug.” Ed Ford is a
staff writer for The Lane Report
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Copyright 1996-2002, by Kentucky Business Online. All rights reserved. Editorial content
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