Allegheny Energy Awards $30,000 Grant to South Hagerstown High School; New TechConnect Program to Aid Schools Throughout Region

Business Wire, Oct 17, 2000

Business Editors

HAGERSTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2000

Allegheny Energy is today awarding its first $30,000 TechConnect Program grant to South Hagerstown High School, introducing an exciting corporate contributions program aimed at enhancing students' access to technology in schools throughout the region.

The $30,000 grant, awarded in a ceremony at the Washington County, Md., Board of Education's central office, will be used to purchase computers and supporting hardware to help South Hagerstown High School students meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global marketplace and the careers of the 21st century.

"Technology has become the new basic in education that, like reading, writing, and math, absolutely must be mastered if we want our students to have every opportunity to succeed in the workplace and in life," says Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, a speaker at the award ceremony. "We are very fortunate in Maryland to have a company like Allegheny Energy that is committed to making technology available in the classroom, enhancing each student's ability to become an independent thinker, an effective communicator, and a creative problem-solver."

To be considered for the award, South Hagerstown High School and other Washington County schools submitted proposals to the Board of Education that described their current technology instruction and how the grant could improve their programs. A committee of educators and business leaders reviewed the applications and selected South Hagerstown High School as the winner.

"We are thrilled because this grant not only recognizes us for our accomplishments in technology education, it also provides us with the necessary resources to take our program to an even higher level," said Michael Shockey, Principal, South Hagerstown High School.

"The goal of TechConnect is to ensure that students in our region have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed and do not fall victim to the `digital divide,'" says Victoria V. Schaff, Allegheny Energy's Vice President, External Affairs. "This inaugural grant will assist South Hagerstown High School in advancing its technology program and better preparing students for higher education and beyond."

Next year, Allegheny Energy will award 10, $30,000 grants to schools throughout its five-state service territory.

"By expanding our TechConnect Program across the region, we will commit resources to further enhance access to classroom technology, especially in math and science, and also provide the communities we serve with highly skilled and diverse employees," adds Schaff.

Allegheny Energy, Inc. is a diversified energy company headquartered in Hagerstown, Md. The Allegheny Energy family includes Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, which operates and markets competitive retail and wholesale electric generation and operates regulated electric generation for its affiliates; Allegheny Power, which delivers electric energy and natural gas to three million people in parts of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; and Allegheny Ventures, which actively invests in and develops telecommunications and energy-related projects. For more information, check our web site at www.alleghenyenergy.com.