Altec awards BTEC students 10 thousand dollars for Innovation Challenge community project

On Saturday Dec. 2, Altec held an Innovation Challenge competition between the three high school level schools in Botetourt County. BTEC, James River and Lord Botetourt had teams. Judges evaluated the three proposals and BTEC carried away the prize money. What follows is a detail of the competition.

The money for the community project was from the Styslinger Foundation started by the founders of Altec. This is the first time the competiton was held at the Botetourt site. During this competition, which began August 9, student teams worked with their faculty sponsor to identify a problem facing their school or community and propose a solution using Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The winning idea captured $10,000 for implementation in the Spring of 2024. They were instructed, “To encourage Botetourt County students to innovatively solve real-world problems while benefiting their school and/or community.”

This was the first one for the Roanoke location, but Altec’s Birmingham, AL and Elizabethtown, KY locations have been doing this for a while now.  This year Roanoke, VA and St. Joseph, MO also hosted their local challenges.

Said Ty Tullis of Altec, “Local Altec team members that workied on this to make it happen were Austin Scott, Brad Meador, Cassie Johnson, Elora Kelly, Emily Raddatz, James Folds, JB Darr, Joe Cuadrado-Medina, Joseph Fisher, Kara Contessa, Kate Eastman, Kristina Repass, and Tyrel Tullis. We also had support from John Herrig, general manager for Altec Roanoke, and Brian Price facilities manager for Altec Roanoke.”

The competition instructed the 3 teams to come up with a project to benefit the local community and the 10 thousand dollar award to the winner would fund the project. BTEC students won. Lord Botetourt finished 2nd and James River 3rd. The teams were comprised of students and a faculty advisor. James River students: Kylee Aaron, April Easter, Jonathan Wolcott, Kaia Binns, Ripley Barry. Lord Botetourt students: Amy Woodson, Ian Paris and Joshua Frate.

The BTEC team was comprised of Students in IST and CST classes: Bryan Nida – Main Presenter, Damien Smith both pictured – others were Connor Barnes, DJ Toliver, Ethan Spickard, Shaun VanDyke, Hayden Bradley,Tyler Fitzpatrick, Ethan Smith and David Merritt

BTEC plans to refurbish donated and computers they have in stockpile and provide to the community who have the ability to access the internet but need a computer to do so. ( Editor’s note:Though home internet services are on the uptick due to increased Broadband grants, Botetourt County has numerous free access sites if a recipient cannot afford to subscribe to internet services.)

Faculty advisor Kurtis Kennedy had this to say about the BTEC team. “In 2020, Botetourt County received a Fast-Track Broadband Grant to help increase broadband accessibility to underserved citizens in the community.  In 2021, Botetourt received a second VATI Grant to continue the expansion. Gaining access to high speed internet is only one part of shrinking the digital divide.”

“Every year, local and state organizations donate used computers and equipment to BTEC’s two computer programs: CST (Computer Systems Technology) led by Mr. Chris Shaffer and IST (Information Systems Technology). led by Mr. Kurtis Kennedy. Usually these donations are used by students to explore the inner workings of our modern devices.” 

“During our brainstorming sessions, it was suggested that, with money from Altec, many of these devices could be repaired and/or refurbished. Then, through local food banks and other charity organizations, qualifying families could be identified who could make use of the donated equipment.”

He concluded with, “It is hoped that, with Altec’s support, this program that accepts, refurbishes, and donates used equipment can become an annual event to help shrink the digital divide in our community.”

–Cathy Benson and photos: L to R BTEC winner, JRHS 3rd and LBHS 2nd