Congrats Allany and Emilio!

Terri's father Jim, Mariel, Emilio, Allany, and Tasia at Golder's College Signing NightThese two outstanding seniors topped 21 competing entries to be our first recipients of MacBook Pro's via the fund. TRETF conducted an anonymous essay contest at Mariel's school Golder College Prep in Chicago. This Noble Network high school is committed to helping students get admitted to college and providing the tools to succeed in their educational careers. Allany and Emilio impressed the TRETF committee with their abilities to face life's hardships with resilience and determination to succeed on their own as they begin their college experience.

A SmartBoard for Irving Elementary

The TRTF's latest donation was to Terri's Elementary School Alma Mater, Irving School in Oak Park, Illinois. Mariel was able to attend the District 97 School Board meeting on September 11th to present the donation of a SmartBoard to the school's library where every student in the building is able to benefit from it.  A common thread with all of the donations thus far has been the connections between our fund and the recipients on several levels.  In Irving's case, the librarian, Katie Noonan, who will benefit most from the SmartBoard is the sister of Mariel's colleague at Golder College Prep.  Having these connections make each donation that much more meaningful. 

Pictured from left to right: Mr. Barber (President of the School Board), Mariel Race, Katie Noonan (Irving's librarian) and John Hodge (Irving's principal)

5 new iPads for Hephzibah Children's Association!

The Terri Race Educational Technology Fund is proud to announce its latest donation to the Hephzibah Children’s Association in Oak Park.  If you're from the OPRF area, then we're sure you are familiar with the inspiring work that the organization has accomplished for over one hundred years.  The idea for the donation was initiated thanks to the collaboration of Molly Philosophos, Hephzibah’s Development Director, two generous technology-savvy volunteers at the home, Brian Druley and Sue Stark and Summer Reading Academy director, Paula Andies. After seeing the iPads in action at the annual Hephzibah Summer Reading Academy held at Dominican University, our goal was truly realized as we watched the kids seamlessly transition into the world of the iPad.  Terri was an instant fan of the Apple device when it was first released and we know she would be inspired to see several of them in the hands of those who will benefit most from their use. The Tech Fund team couldn't have found a better recipient and looks forward to working together with Hephzibah in the future! 

A Hephzibah student using one of the iPads for the first time.

Molly Philosophos, Paula Andries and Mariel Race commemorate the iPad donation with a photo.

Our First Recipient

Alejandro Mandujano, a current sophomore at Golder College Prep in Chicago, is our first recipient of the Terri Race Educational Technology Fund.  We are very excited to be sending Alejandro to the California College of the Arts in Oakland to study Digital Art this summer.  Alejandro is a participant in the Summer of a Lifetime program through the Right Angle Foundation of the Noble Network of Charter Schools.  Terri's daughter, Mariel (pictured below) currently teaches Spanish at Golder and is proud to award the scholarship to such a deserving student.  This scholarship will not only give him real classroom experience in his field of interest, but will also allow him to earn college credits, thus lowering his college tuition for the future.