It’s not every day a school gets to go on a $20,000 shopping spree, but that’s exactly what happened when Westminster High School became the recipient of a national grand prize from Best Buy and Intel Corporation.

 

At first, Principal Maureen Bangsund and her team thought the email was too good to be true. “We honestly thought it was a scam,” Bangsund admitted with a laugh. But it was no scam — it was a major award recognizing excellence from the Best Buy store and staff at 93rd and Sheridan. It was one of just 12 stores across the country to win the nationwide competition. 

 

Over the course of eight weeks, Best Buy employees across the country participated in a training challenge to learn everything they could about the Intel technology that powers so many of today’s devices. The Westminster team came out on top and as part of the prize, they were invited to choose a local school to go shopping.    

 

Rather than spend the money on big ticket items, the school used much of the prize money to buy products to motivate students throughout the year. Rewards and incentives for academic and behavioral goals often disappear during tight budget times.

 

But there was one special purchase meant to benefit everyone.

 

“Our student council has been trying to do more outdoor movie nights to increase that feeling of community,” said Bangsund. “We got an outdoor projector and projection screen.”

 

As the new equipment makes its way into classrooms and student events throughout WHS, we’re reminded of how technology can bring communities together in more ways than one.