Digital Harbor High School — a technology-based magnet school in Baltimore — recently received a special surprise from TODAY’s Al Roker.
Following Digital Harbor’s principal — Taiisha Swinton-Buck — being named Maryland’s Principal of the Year for 2021, the students were each gifted brand new Dell laptops and a free year of internet access — thanks to Comcast — TODAY reports.
“It means everything to us,” Swinton-Buck told TODAY. “At Digital Harbor High School, we’re focused on technology. Computers kept us connected during the COVID closures, and so we’re so happy that we can continue on trend…We’re going to stay focused!”
According to TODAY, Swinton-Buck has led Digital Harbor High School for three years and throughout her tenure has had stellar engagement, support and bonding with the students. She’s inspired not only the students, but also Digital Harbor’s staff. With Swinton-Buck’s influence, the school has seen “record-setting impacts in attendance, grade averages and graduation rates.”
Principal @SwintonBuck of Digital Harbor High School was just named Maryland’s Principal of the Year! @alroker shares the inspiring story of how she leads her students with love, devotion and TikToks – plus, he reveals a special surprise! pic.twitter.com/v4lS5RRtiI
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 20, 2021
Academics isn’t the only area where students are shown support. The Baltimore school has a free barbershop, as well as a free resource room of personal care and household items for students.
“If students’ needs are not met in other places that shows up in the classroom. I want to be able to bridge those gaps for students in any way that we need for them and their families so they can show up as their best selves,” Swinton-Buck shared.
Digital Harbor was featured in TODAY’s “Once in a Lifetime” series. The segment is a collaboration with NBC Sports “to visit the hometowns that host football games on NBC in order to shine a spotlight on people making a difference in those communities,” according to TODAY.
Along with Digital Harbor’s 1,400 new laptops, Comcast is also donating 1,600 laptops to other Baltimore school programs, as a part of what’s said to be the show’s “largest ever laptop giveaway.”