Lake Zurich High wins grant for new computers

Lake Zurich High School students will have a surprise waiting for them when they return to school in two weeks.

The school will be equipped with $25,000 in new technology from Intel Corporation. A local Best Buy won a contest with Intel, and part of the reward allowed the store to choose a local school to receive the technology package.

Lake Zurich High School Principal Kim Kolze said Intel has not told her exactly what the $25,000 package will include. She would prefer several laptop computers or tablets so each student could have their own computer to use during certain classroom lessons, she said.

No matter what the high school gets, Kolze said, she is very grateful to Intel and Best Buy for the donation.

"Any time you get money or technology donated to you, it's so great because it takes a burden off the school," she said.

The Kildeer Best Buy participated in a regional contest from March to June in which stores had to complete a training program for new Intel processors. The store with the highest employee participation won, general manager John Simmons said.

As winners, the Best Buy was able to choose a local school where it could donate the computer equipment.

"Certainly something we strive to do is impact positively students in our local community, and we are glad to do that," Simmons said.

With the $25,000 package going only to the high school, Lake Zurich Unit District 95 can focus more of its funds on its seven other schools, Kolze said. She said although she does not think the school's technology is outdated, it could always use some renovations.

"Any school, with how technology is updated all the time, is a little behind the 8-ball," Kolze said. "We offer a lot with what we can afford."