Sixty-five local teens participated in summer computer camps this year as part of the “Westchester Scholars” program that awards free computers to low-income youth throughout the county.

“Having access to a computer and the skills to use one can make a big difference in the educational life of a child,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “Westchester Scholars was designed to provide these important tools and help level the playing field for these young people.”

The program was created by Spano in 1999 to give low-income students the opportunity to benefit from the same technology as their more affluent peers.

As part of the program, low-income students in grades 7-11 receive a computer, free Internet service for one year and one week of computer camp at a local college.

In addition, students are invited to participate in enrichment programs throughout the year such as SAT preparation. The program is a private/public partnership with the Generoso/Pope Foundation.

The unique Westchester County program is designed to bridge the digital divide between students throughout Westchester. Lower-income students, who are not as familiar with technology, attended computer training camp on June 29, 30 and July 1, 2 at one of three local colleges.

Sixty five students participated in the enrichment opportunities at Iona College in New Rochelle, Westchester Community College in Valhalla, and The Educational Opportunity Center in Yonkers. Upon their completion they will now be receiving their free computer and Internet services.

“It is our hope that this program will make a real difference in the lives of the students selected,” said Marlene Furtick, executive director Westchester County Youth. “This program helps students realize that they possess the necessary skills to excel in school and ultimately college, and that this access to current technology will only assist them in reaching their ultimate goals.”

The following students complete the computer enrichment program and will now receive their free computer:

Randa Abu-Mallouh, Yonkers; Gabby Addane, Yonkers; Odell Alexander, Port Chester; Auruba Ali, Yonkers; Ahleh Ali, Yonkers;Vivian Ayala, Harrison;Tonika Banks, Yonkers;Lidia Barreno, Yonkers; Nateisha Bennett, Elmsford;Steven C. Bodden Jr., Yonkers;Shaka Browne, Mount Vernon; Alexcuis Burnett, Mount Vernon;Lilia Cerreta, New Rochelle;Kolton Chung, Mount Vernon;Ja’von Coles, Yonkers; Jaheed Cunningham, Yonkers;Josmel De Los Santos, Yonkers ;Noel Diaz, White Plains ;Mastanna Eraifej, Yonkers ;Jacobo Estevez, New Rochelle ;Isaias Estevez, New Rochelle ;Eileen Fernandez, Yonkers ;Melissa Gervacio, Yonkers ;Erickson Gonzalez, Yonkers ;Symone Griffin, Peekskill;Maria Guzman, Yonkers;Waffa Harb, Yonkers;Alyssa Johnson, Yonkers;Bianca Kirkland, Yonkers;Dennies Krecko, Peekskill;Susan Lam, Yonkers;Sarah Lewis, Elmsford;Susan Lin, Yonkers;Lorwilb Liriano, Yonkers;John Kevin Londono, Yonkers;Anabel Lopez, Yonkers;Devin Marrero, Yonkers;Joseph Martinez, White Plains;Sameera Mayat, Yonkers;Ingrid Morales, Yonkers;Jonathan Padilla, Yonkers;Isaiah Page, New Rochelle;Stephanie Pena, Yonkers;Yedifer Pina, Yonkers;Yuvon Powell, New Rochelle;Mohammad Qawasmi, Yonkers;Christine Rabady, Yonkers; Jaquita Ragin, Port Chester; Tyreese Ramos, Mohegan Lake; Jonah Rivera, Yonkers;Brandon Rosado, Yonkers;Chevaun Samuels, Mount Vernon ;Rahsaan Simmonds, Elmsford ;Christopher Smith, Pelham;Marquitah Snowball, New Rochelle;Tiffani Soto, White Plains;Rose Tachie, Yonkers;Aida Tareke, Mount Vernon;Raymond Taylor, Yonkers;Carina Vasquez, Yonkers;Unique Warren, Mount Vernon;Sha’ quasia Watford, Yonkers;Ashley Weig, Yonkers;Anthony Weir, Mount Vernon;Inayan Wilkins, Mount Vernon.

(Press release courtesy of Westchester County Executive Andy Spano’s office.)