Middlesex Community College, together with the College’s Computer Club, announced the results of their Student Essay Contest. The goal of the contest was to provide a needy MxCC student with a computer that can be used to support their academic and personal needs. To win a computer, students submitted an essay explaining their need. A total of 15 essays were submitted by MxCC students.
The two winners of the 2012 Computer Club Contest are John Medina of Meriden and Dominick Ayinn of Middletown. Both students do not have a computer and rely on public computers to complete their schoolwork.
Medina, originally from Visalia, Calif., is a full time student and a general studies major at the College. Medina, 47, found that with his disability, it was hard to make trips to the College’s computers and local libraries. Having a home computer will allow him to take online classes and allow him to do homework and research in his home on his own schedule.
Upon hearing that he won, Medina said, “I was so happy that I was tearing up. You have no idea what this means to me.”
Ayinn, the second winner of the essay contest, is a 42-year-old immigrant from Micronesia, looking for a new beginning in America. Ayinn is currently without a job and a home, but has been working towards a degree in general studies since he enrolled at MxCC in 2010. Since he is without transportation, he has to rely on the schedule of public transportation or walk several miles just to use a computer.
The Computer Club was able to purchase the equipment and software needed by raising funds at a computer and electronics e-cycling event last April.
Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (mxcc.edu) is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents for Higher Education. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs at the main, 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and online. The Chronicle of Higher Education named MxCC a “Great College to Work For” in 2012. The college promotes understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking. Current enrollment exceeds 2,900 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.
