The band was playing, cheerleaders were chanting and football players were huddled on the football field when they heard the news.

On national television via NBC’s “Today” show, students, teachers and staff members in the McKeesport Area School District found out they would receive free laptops.

The McKeesport Tigers truly had something to roar about.

“This might sound cliché, but this is a fitting place to do this,” said Superintendent Mark Holtzman, who teared up talking about 2,500 free laptops on Friday. “It’s really meaningful because with the donation of these laptops, it really levels the playing field for our students. Our students now have what the majority of school districts have. Our kids deserve this. This is unbelievable.”

The technology was provided by Comcast. It includes free high-speed internet access for a year for eligible families through Internet Essentials, a program for low-income households.

“We don’t have things that other places have,” Holtzman said. “Now, we can provide the highest level of education to all of our students.”

When the pandemic came to McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the community didn’t have the resources to enable virtual learning for its students. @craigmelvin is there today with a big surprise for the students of McKeesport Area High School and the middle school next door! pic.twitter.com/Rzumxys9Gw

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 18, 2020

The computers will definitely help, said Aundre Robinson, a senior linebacker and tight end for the football team.

“I am grateful,” he said. “We have some students who don’t have a computer or a cellphone or any technology. You can do so many things with a new computer. People talk bad about McKeesport, but this place is special. We don’t have a lot of dough but we have each other.”

His mother, Andrea Robinson, said this experience was overwhelming. She has two children at home using one computer.

“I am so happy for my kids and all of the kids in the district,” she said. “I am proud of McKeesport. This means a lot and will help them with their education as well as communicating with their teachers. We have been struggling to get through this distance learning. This will help immensely.”

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review McKeesport cheerleaders get ready for the announcement Friday of free laptops from Comcast Western Pennsylvania on the Today Show.  

There are 3,200 students in the district, Holtzman said. When the pandemic forced online learning in March, he said he felt like he came up short in providing the proper technology for students and teachers.

“I got so emotional when I heard that the middle school students were also getting computers, because I take everything personally and thought there was something I did wrong that we didn’t have all the technology we needed,” Holtzman said. “I’ve been thinking about the middle school, and we don’t have the finances for computers for them, so this is unbelievable.”

He said the partnership with Comcast will help with the challenges he faces in McKeesport.

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, attended the event. He said 16 million students in the U.S. lack broadband access and that high-speed internet and computers are how everyone stays connected by ordering food, seeing doctors and learning.

“We all need an internet connection,” he said. “It’s the glue that keeps us all together.”

Senior Vice President for Comcast Keystone Region Mike Parker said the day was about bringing the digital highway to students at McKeesport.

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review NBC Today Show’s Craig Melvin speaks during a live segment at McKeesport Area High School’s stadium Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. Melvin surprised middle and high school students and teachers with free laptops during this morning’s show.  

“Today” show anchor Craig Melvin was on hand for the presentation. He said the event is at the top of the list of the assignments he has done at the show.

“If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that the digital divide is real and the past six months has widened that divide,” he said. “To be able to bridge that gap for the students here in McKeesport is pretty awesome.”

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