Continuing in its tradition of rewarding excellence in education, Custom Computers teamed up this year with The Hewlett-Packard Company to present brand new computers to the winners of its Fourth Annual A’s For Excellence Awards Competition on Saturday, September 3rd, at its Cable Beach Location. The promotion which started earlier this year, allowed students throughout the Bahamas who received at least one ‘A’ grade on their final report card, a chance to win the prizes donated by HP.

On hand for the presentation this year were the Minister of Education, the Honourable Desmond Bannister, and Mr. Polo Sanchez, Sales Manager for Hewlett-Packard. This year’s winners included Ayana John, a second grade student at Mount Carmel, who won in the Primary School Category; and Athena Cochinamogulos, a twelfth grade student of Queen’s College who won the High School Category. John was presented with a brand new HP Mini Laptop and Cochinamogulos received a new HP Tablet. St. Anne’s School was declared the school with the most entries. For its efforts, the school was presented with the revolutionary Five Seater-HP Mini Computer Lab which allows five students to interact with 5 interconnected computers simultaneously under the guidance and supervision of a teacher.

Mrs. Pia Farmer, Owner and Marketing Director at Custom Computers commented, “This year’s A’s For Excellence has been very encouraging. We saw a noted increase in the number of entries of children with A’s on their report card, of which we had some 2500 entries. We want to encourage students to continue to do well in their school work. We also appreciate and commend the teachers, the schools and the parents without whom these stories of success in education would not happen. And it’s very nice to hear some good news stories in education.”

Education Minister, the Honourable Desmond Bannister commended Custom Computers for rewarding students throughout The Bahamas. “Custom Computers has been proactive in making a connection to encourage young people to excel in their school work. They have created this A’s For Excellence Program, they have donated computers to children and schools for the past four years and so we are pleased to be able to be a part of it. Any community minded business, as Custom Computers is, who are determined that they are going to make a difference, we want to be a part of what they are doing, and we are thankful for what they are doing as we need more businesses to decide that they are going to make a difference in the lives of our children…” Using a popular phrase of noted World Leader and former South African President, Nelson Mandela, Mr. Sanchez of Hewlett-Packard said, “Education is the most import weapon that can change the world.” Mr. Sanchez said Hewlett-Packard is very honoured to be a part of this year’s A’s For Excellence Ceremony and is pleased that they are able to contribute to education in the Bahamas.

Mrs. Vanessa John mother of little Ayana said, “We are very elated that she won. We all rejoiced when we heard her name called as the winner for the Primary School Division and I am very proud today that she has received this mini lap-top computer from Custom Computers.” “This is a moment that I really cannot put into words when you consider how going forward, technology is the way to go; and you know that technology is not inexpensive but you can see that a company like Custom Computers and HP can network together to take our students to the next level. I am so grateful for that. I want to say thank you to Custom Computers and HP, keep up what you are doing because when you change one life, you are changing a community, then a nation, then the world, ” said Ms. Shannelle Johnson, mother of High School winner, Athena Cochinamogulos.

Custom Computers also presented the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute with its Second Annual Scholarship in memory of Mr. Ted Nutt, a former employee and friend of the Know How Team, who sadly passed away two years ago. Mr. Rashad Ferguson, an Information Technology student at BTVI was the recipient of the scholarship. Mrs. Farmer concluded, “It’s a great culmination of the campaign and we are looking forward to the fifth annual A’s For Excellence, to be bigger and better!”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

PHOTO 2319- HEWLETT PACKARD TEAMS UP WITH CUSTOM COMPUTERS’ A’S FOR EXCELLENCE! Mr. Polo Sanchez, Sales Manager of Hewlett-Packard Company at center is pictured with St. Anne’s School students and St. Anne’s Primary School Vice Principal, Ms. Nicolette Archer. St. Anne’s was the school with the most entries in this year’s Custom Computers A’s For Excellence Competition. The School won a Mini HP Computer Lab which seats 5 students. Photo by Ashley Taylor. PHOTO 2301-BTVI RECEIVES CUSTOM COMPUTERS SCHOLARSHIP! Mrs. Pia Farmer, Owner and Marketing Director of Custom Computers at center is pictured presenting Rashad Ferguson, an Information Technology Student at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (pictured at right), with a scholarship courtesy of Custom Computers. Also pictured at left is Mr. Tommy Ferguson, Financial Aid Officer at BTVI. Photo by Ashley Taylor.

PHOTO 2289-CUSTOM COMPUTERS PROUD WINNER! Twelfth grader, Athena Cochinamogulos of Queen’s College is pictured with the Minister of Education, the Honourable Desmond Bannister showing off her brand new HP Tablet computer she won during Custom Computers A’s for Excellence competition on Saturday, September 3. Athena was the winner of the High School Category. Photo by Ashley Taylor.

PHOTO 2288-A WINNER’S SMILE! Young Ayana John, a second grader at Mount Carmel smiles for the camera while holding up her brand new HP Mini Laptop while joined by Mrs. Pia Farmer, Owner and Marketing Director of Custom Computers. Ayana is the Primary School winner of Custom Computers A’s For Excellence Awards held on Saturday, September 3 at Custom Computers Cable Beach location. Also pictured at left looking on is Athena Cochinamogulos of Queen’s College, the High School Winner. Photo by Ashley Taylor.

PHOTO 2292- CUSTOM COMPUTERS PROMOTES EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION! Pictured from left to right is Mrs. Pia Farmer, Owner and Marketing Director of Custom Computers, Ayana John of Mount Carmel, Custom Computers Primary School winner; the Minister of Education the Hon. Desmond Bannister; Athena Cochinamogulos of Queen’s College, Custom Computers High School Winner; and Mr. Polo Sanchez, Sales Manager at Hewlett Packard during Custom Computers’ A’s For Excellence Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at its Cable Beach location. Photo by Ashley Taylor. SEPTEMBER 2011