ORLANDO, Fla.—Louisburg High School received good news in the form of a $5000 grant from Government Information Technology Executive Council at the school Friday.

The grant, the maximum amount that can be awarded to one school, was presented to LHS principal Sally Lundblad by Kathleen Rundle. Rundle, associate chief information officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a board member and also serves on the GITEC Scholarship and Grant Committee.

"With the help of the GITEC grant, we will be able to begin assembling equipment and designing an audio-visual program at the high school," Lundblad said. "Students will eventually have the opportunity to do intraschool radio broadcasts and television productions."

It is the second GITEC award the high school has received. Three years ago a $3000 grant jump started the schools technology use, Lundblad said.

"I can't express my thanks enough to GITEC, both this year and three years ago," she said.

The high school will use the grant to help fund audio-video production opportunities for the teachers and students. Lundblad said the school has been making strides in the area of information technology, and within the past four years has offered several IT classes, including basic computer applications, a Desktop Publishing course, HTML/Internet, beginning and advanced computer programming and Electronic Network Specialist classes.

During the second semester of the 2002-03 school year, LHS implemented a computer course that will earn students A+ certification after successfully competed the course.

GITEC is a not-for-profit national organization committed to furthering the education of youth. Each year the council awards grants to support, assist, or aid accredited public or private high schools that desire to improve, enhance, or expand their knowledge in information technology or related training. Their goal is to assist teachers and students in obtaining a higher level of excellence, Lundblad said.

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