Best Buy's Geek Squad Summer Academy Returns to Compton

							             Compton Unified School District                                           Serving Compton
             501 South Santa Fe Avenue                                                           Carson
             Compton, California 90221                                                        Enterprise
                                                                                      South Los Angeles
             www.compton.k12.ca.us
                                                                                            Willowbrook



Contact:
Christine Sanchez                                                                  Ron T. Suazo
Director of Communications                                            Office of Communications
(310) 604-6561                                                                   (310) 604-6529

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 July 23, 2009


           Best Buy’s Geek Squad Summer Academy Returns
            to Compton Unified’s Enterprise Middle School
  COMPTON, Calif., — Over 170 Compton Unified School District (CUSD) middle
school students “geeked out” on the latest technology, Monday, July 20 thru Thursday,
July 23, at Best Buy’s 2009 Geek Squad Summer Academy.
   For a second consecutive year the four-day technology education program, sponsored
by CUSD, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Magic Johnson Enterprises,
was held at Enterprise Middle School, 2600 W. Compton Blvd., from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Students from all eight CUSD middle schools, including Enterprise, Bunche, Davis,
Roosevelt, Vanguard, Walton, Whaley and Willowbrook attended the event. They
received hands-on interactive training covering a variety of electronics and computer
technologies ranging from digital cameras to multimedia programs.
   “Geek Squad Agents” from Compton’s Best Buy, 230 Towne Center Drive, and other
locations volunteered to teach two required and elective courses, including: PC Build,
Web Class, Digital Music and Multimedia. The academy also offered an additional
Communications course, which introduced students to video conferencing and social
networking Web sites.
   Best Buy Geek Squad Summer Academy project coordinator Moira Hardek said she
was pleased with CUSD’s middle school students’ enthusiasm for the program. “This is
the kind of program that inner-city schools and students can benefit from,” she explained.
“Learning technology gets kids thinking about their future careers and educational paths.
It also gives them real-world skills that we increasingly need.” Hardek, who founded the
                                            (MORE)
                                      “Excellence in Progress”
                501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
              Compton Unified School District                                           Serving Compton
              501 South Santa Fe Avenue                                                           Carson
              Compton, California 90221                                                        Enterprise
                                                                                       South Los Angeles
              www.compton.k12.ca.us
                                                                                             Willowbrook




Enterprise Middle School Hosts 2009 Geek Squad Summer Academy                              page two


summer academy, added that the program not only demystifies technology for students,
but also equips them with job skills. “It’s important for the next generation of
professionals to know how to use and communicate through the Internet, social
networking Web sites and cell phones. These kids are getting a head start.”
   Michael Winston, eighth-grader, Enterprise Middle School, pointed out, “There’s so
much cool stuff to learn about.” He added, “I’ve never used a computer before and I’m
already chatting online with my friends and, today, I started learning how to build my
own PC.” For Winston, Geek Squad Summer Academy’s courses have not only provided
him with tech knowledge, but also early job training. “I want to be the guy who helps
people fix their computers.” Enterprise seventh-grader Johana Malagon said she was
excited to learn how to put together a computer. “So far I’ve learned about the
computer’s hard drive. It’s like the brain of the computer,” she noted. “It’s my first time
here and I’ve learned so much already.”
   Enterprise Principal Teodor Brancov said it was an honor to host the Geek Squad
Summer Academy for a second year in a row. “It’s a great program that opens the eyes
of our children. It’s very beneficial for them inside and outside of the classroom,” he
explained. “By being exposed to technology, students are able to use that knowledge for
a variety of things. Whether it’s downloading music or working on computer research
for a school project, they’ll know how to utilize technology as a tool.” Brancov added,
“Besides, it’s fun.”
   Additional information may be obtained by contacting the CUSD Office of
Communications at (310) 639-4321, ext. 46561.


                                         #       #       #


                                       “Excellence in Progress”
                 501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
            Compton Unified School District                                            Serving Compton
            501 South Santa Fe Avenue                                                            Carson
            Compton, California 90221                                                         Enterprise
                                                                                      South Los Angeles
            www.compton.k12.ca.us
                                                                                            Willowbrook




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Best Buy’s Geek Squad Summer Academy Returns
to Compton Unified’s Enterprise Middle School




Geeking Out on Gizmos — Enterprise Middle School eighth-grader Michael Winston
(right) receives instruction from Best Buy Signal Hill store’s Geek Squad agent and
Communications instructor Chris Scholar (left), as part of the 2009 Geek Squad Summer
Academy, Monday, July 20 thru Thursday, July 23. For a second consecutive year the
four-day technology education program, held at Enterprise Middle School, 2600 W.
Compton Blvd., gave students hands-on training with computers, digital cameras,
multimedia programs, video conferencing and social networking Web sites.




                                            (MORE)
                                      “Excellence in Progress”
                501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
             Compton Unified School District                                           Serving Compton
             501 South Santa Fe Avenue                                                           Carson
             Compton, California 90221                                                        Enterprise
                                                                                      South Los Angeles
             www.compton.k12.ca.us
                                                                                            Willowbrook




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Best Buy’s Geek Squad Summer Academy Returns
to Compton Unified’s Enterprise Middle School




Downloading Skills — Compton Best Buy agent and PC Build instructor Jose Jovel
(right) teaches Enterprise Middle School seventh-grader Johana Malagon (left) about the
inner-workings of computer hard drives as part of the 2009 Geek Squad Summer
Academy, Monday, July 20 thru Thursday, July 23.


                                        #       #       #




                                      “Excellence in Progress”
                501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321