Early Holiday Excitement For 14 Chicago Public High School Students

CHICAGO, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Get Schooled and Internet Essentials from Comcast joined former Chicago Bears offensive lineman James "Big Cat" Williams today at a number of Chicago Public High Schools to surprise and present new laptops to 14 students, who won a city-wide contest during the semester long "Get Schooled, Get Schooled Challenge."

The challenge uses a technology-based platform of games, pop culture, localized information, recognition and rewards to engage and motivate 13- to 19-year-old students to prepare for college. 

"I literally screamed when I got the email telling me I won," said Geneva Riley, a student at Payton College Prep. "We only have a desktop computer at home, and four of us are using it. This will allow me to start working on scholarship applications for college."   

The winning students include: Rachel So (Northside College Prep), Kimberly Perez (Alcott College Prep), Geneva Riley (Payton College Prep), Daniel Rosales (Alcott College Prep), Mayra Calderas (Washington High School), Deisy Cardenas (Kelly High School), Rosa Portillo (Kelly High School), Herman Calderon (Washington High School), Justin Torres (Whitney Young High School), Jeremy Suski (Washington High School), Estrella Lopez (Solorio Academy), Diana Bender (Brooks College Prep), Taylor Waters (King College Prep) and Jazmine Alvarez (Bulls College Prep).

"I found out from my teacher," said Daniel Rosales, a student at Alcott College Prep. "He said, 'Check your email, check your email.' I was like 'Oh my God!' I really need this to do my homework, because my brother takes the one computer we have at home to college."  

A first of its kind, this citywide challenge brings together Get Schooled's educational content and technology platform and Internet Essentials, which helps low-income families get connected to the Internet at home. Get Schooled is a national non-profit organization, whose unique approach has helped thousands of students in locations across the country plan for their futures. Internet Essentials has connected more than 22,000 Chicago households to the internet and more than 1.4 million people in the U.S. Chicago has more Internet Essentials connections than any other U.S. city. 

The students with the most points and badges at the end of the challenge will be invited to a celebration with an "A-list" celebrity in January. Comcast will provide $100,000 to the top Chicago Public High Schools and community-based organizations at the event to enhance computer labs, increase Wi-Fi access and support digital literacy training.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141218/165398

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/early-holiday-excitement-for-14-chicago-public-high-school-students-300012245.html

SOURCE Comcast