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Sarasota News Leader January 25, 2013 Page 57 TEXCELLENCE DONATES ITS 6,000TH COMPUTER When Brandon Contino received the note from the principal's office, he was thrilled to find out he was eligible for a home computer, he says. "It was Tuesday, and Michelle responded right away and asked if we could come Thursday night," said Rebecca Ratigan, Brandon's mom, in an Education Foundation news release. "We said, 'Absolutely. We'll be there!' That's when I The Brookside Middle School seventh-grader found out we were the 6,000th family to sign needed a computer and Internet access for up for a Texcellence computer." homework and to read his social studies textbook, which are now online. But the equip- More than 75 other families were at Riverment cost was out of reach for his family, so view High School on that recent evening, aphis mother contacted the Education Founda- plauding Ratigan, Brandon and his dad, Eddie tion's Texcellence program manager, Michelle Contino, the release adds. The students were from public schools all over Sarasota CounFrau. (From left) Eddie Contino; seventh-grader Brandon Contino; and Brandon's mother, Rebecca Ratigan, celebrate their having received computer No. 6000 with Texcellence volunteer Jonathan Swift. Swift's company and family have supported the home computer donation program since 2007. Photo courtesy of the Education Foundation