Sixth-grader wins laptops for herself, classmates

Out of 803 entries into a countywide art competition, Mt. Woodson Elementary’s Mia Garnica was the victor.

The sixth-grader submitted an original design for the 2015 Technology Training Foundation of America’s annual award program. The San Diego-based foundation works with businesses to take their older computer hardware and safely donate them to schools, freeing up school dollars for software and other related costs.

In exchange for designing the program cover for the foundation’s upcoming event, Mia will receive a laptop computer for herself as well as 19 for her class at Mt. Woodson.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Mia. “I wanted to cry, actually. I was so happy.”

Mia plans to share her laptop with her older brother, 15-year-old Alberto.

“I wanted to participate for me and my brother,” she said. “I’m excited to enjoy my laptop with him. I also wanted to do it for my school.”

Mia’s design consists of an open laptop with a giant heart on its screen and a red bow on the upper left-hand corner of the laptop.

“It was just perfect,” said Jeanette Roache, TTFA founder and executive director, noting the upcoming award program’s theme is “A Gift from the Heart.”

Mia and her class will receive their laptops during the awards ceremony that will take place in San Diego on Feb. 6.

Three runners-up from Barnett Elementary School and 16 other runners-up from throughout the county will also receive laptops from the foundation.

Roache said the reason Mia’s class is receiving 19 laptops and 19 runners-up also were chosen is because this year TTFA is honoring the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation and its work on behalf of youths. The late San Diego Padres baseball player wore No. 19 on his jersey.