Posted by BETHPAGE, NY. July 10, 2009 - A few weeks ago, the Way family of Jackson, New Jersey received some great news. An essay they had submitted to Cablevision’s “Power to Learn Optimum Technology Makeover” contest was selected as the winning entry for all of New Jersey, making them the winners of a home technology makeover and the 10 prizes that go with it, including a 42″ HDTV. Today, Optimum showed up at their home to deliver the winning prizes.
“I was very surprised to have been chosen as the New Jersey winner,” states John Way. “Technology has always been an important part in my family’s life. When I first heard about the essay contest, I was not sure how to begin writing my submission. I then began to think about how technology has greatly influenced my daughter’s life and the words just started to flow. My wife Donna and my daughter Nicole have always been an inspiration to me and I’m happy to share this amazing experience with them. Thank you Cablevision!”
“The Power to Learn Optimum Technology Makeover” essay contest was announced earlier this spring to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Power to Learn, Cablevision’s education initiative that supports K-12 learning throughout the tri-state region. Families were invited to submit an essay of 500 words or less focused on technology’s significant impact on learning, both at home and at school. Essays were judged on originality and creativity by a panel of judges. The Way family won the Grand Prize for the New Jersey region, a complete home technology makeover that includes 10 prizes to celebrate 10 years, including a 42″ HDTV, an Apple MacBook, an iPod touch, an AirPort Express Base, a photo printer, a Flip Mino video camera, a Solio Charger, a Blue-Ray DVD player, a 6.0 DECT phone, and a digital camera.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate the Way family for submitting such an inspiring essay,” said New Jersey State Senator Robert Singer. “It’s clear technology has made a major impact on our lives and now with the Power to Learn program, our students are able to face the challenges of tomorrow and embrace the opportunities they’ve been given through Cablevision’s the state-of-the-art services. I?m honored to be a part of today?s celebration and Cablevision?s ten-year Power to Learn anniversary.”
Mayor Michael Reina also saluted the Way family on their winning Power to Learn essay. “The Power to Learn essay contest is a wonderful program and a great way to celebrate the 10th Anniversary. Through Cablevision’s many services, including Internet, voice and video, our students now have high-quality technology and service available to them at school and at home.”
“We received an overwhelming response to the essay contest,” noted Trent Anderson, Cablevision’s Vice President of Education. “We received so many great essays, many relating in a personal way to how parents and children view the role played by technology in enhancing learning. It was hard to pick which was best out of all the New Jersey entries, but the judges ultimately selected the essay submitted by John Way. On behalf of Power to Learn, it is our pleasure to provide the Way family with these 10 great technology-related prizes.”
A nationally recognized education program, Power to Learn reaches over one million students, parents, and teachers annually and each year serves as a critical educational resource at the forefront of technology-enabled learning. Beyond the classroom, Power to Learn also provides services to approximately 500 public libraries.
In addition to providing technology and curriculum, Power to Learn takes a proactive role in celebrating schools throughout the tri-state region by organizing student-led presentations on timely and relevant issues, highlighting the role of technology in the learning process. Furthermore, these Power to Learn events often draw the support and active participation of state and locally elected officials, providing students with a unique opportunity to meet and engage with community leaders.
Power to Learn empowers learning in a digital world by providing schools/libraries with free access to Cablevision’s state-of-the-art technology, working together with teachers to integrate technology into the curriculum, offering parents resources to assist their children with learning, and providing teachers with free online resources at the Power to Learn website, http://www.powertolearn.com/, creating unique content and programs that harness the power of technology for learning.
