AT&T awards $15,000 grant to Somers High school Engineering program

Funding will allow Somers High School to purchase state-of-the-art technology

Somers High School has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation to fund the purchase of state-of-the-art technology to support the school’s Technology, Innovation, Design and Engineering (TIDE) program through a collaboration with the Somers Education Foundation (SEF) and State Sen. John A. Kissel.

The Somers TIDE program helps engineering students develop critical and creative thinking skills with an emphasis on human innovation and its effects on society and the environment. TIDE courses provide hands-on instruction that prepares students for real-world opportunities in industries such as welding, fabrication, thermal material processing, and other applied engineering fields.

Somers High School will use AT&T Foundation’s $15,000 grant to purchase a CNC plasma cutting system – an advanced machine that professional engineers across the country use to accurately and cleanly cut a wide range of metal materials to exact specifications.

“We’re proud to support such a unique program that is helping to develop highly technical skills these students need to succeed in an industry that is so important to New England’s economic future,” said AT&T Connecticut Regional Vice President Abigail Jewett.

“The Somers Education Foundation strongly supports the advancement of technology for the Somers Public Schools and is pleased to work with AT&T and Sen. Kissel in facilitating this grant.” said Dr. Paul Salva, SEF President.

“Industry has stressed the importance of incoming employees having a working knowledge of advanced technology,” said School Superintendent Dr. Maynard Suffredini. “We are proud to accept the AT&T Foundation’s generous grant, and we are looking forward to putting it to good use.”

“Over the past 10 years, the Somers Education Foundation has given so much to the Somers school system,” Sen. Kissel said. “This is a group that is committed to the betterment of Somers students and teachers, and they have built great relationships with community organizations and local businesses. This award from AT & T is a testament to that excellent work and will help create future education success stories.”

For more information about SEF, call 860 882-2813 or visit www.sefonline.org .