South Sioux City High School has received a generous $20,000 technology donation from Intel, with support from the Sioux City Best Buy team and HP. The gift recognizes the school’s innovative approach to learning and its continued expansion of the Academies of South Sioux City High School, a model designed to connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.
The donation was made possible through Intel’s nationwide Score with Intel® Core™ competition, which invited Best Buy associates across the country to complete professional learning modules about Intel-powered technology. The Sioux City Best Buy team excelled in the program and earned the opportunity to nominate a local school to receive this donation—and they chose South Sioux City High School.
“This is a BIG DEAL for our students and staff,” said Mr. David Clausen, Principal of South Sioux City High School. “We’re incredibly grateful to Intel for their generosity and to our local Best Buy team for thinking of South Sioux City Schools. Their support will help us strengthen our technology and media resources and create even more opportunities for our students to learn in authentic, hands-on ways.”
The donation will provide new Intel-powered devices, camera equipment, and other technology tools to enhance digital learning—particularly within the Business & Programming Academy, part of the Academies of South Sioux City High School. This academy invites students to explore the dynamic intersection of business and technology, developing essential skills in entrepreneurship, finance, and computer programming. From designing software applications to analyzing market trends, students gain the knowledge and experience to thrive in fast-paced, technology-driven industries.
Representing the Academies at the event were Ms. Lisa Ryan, Academy Principal; Mr. David Clausen, Principal; Ms. Ashley Comstock, Academy Coach; Mr. Matt LaFleur, Academy Lead for the Business & Programming Academy; Mrs. Molly Kruse, Academy Coach; and Mrs. Katie Alesch, Academy Lead for Team Soar, English instructor, and school news teacher. Representing the district’s Technology Department was Mr. Adam Gonshorowski, whose expertise in technology and audiovisual systems supports much of the district’s digital learning infrastructure.
Several students from the Digital Media and Production program also attended the event, representing the next generation of creators and storytellers at South Sioux City High School:
Helen Nicholas Trochez (11)
Marcanaja Kelly (11) – also a student in the Entrepreneurship class
Bryan Bartolo-Lopez (11)
Their participation underscored what this donation is all about—enhancing student learning and expanding access to high-quality, future-focused educational experiences.
“The Sioux City Best Buy staff have done a wonderful job of taking advantage of opportunities like this to support schools across the metro,” said Lance Swanson, Director of Communications and Community Engagement. “We’re so grateful they had South Sioux City in mind for this one. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as we continue to build our Academies and expand real-world learning for students.”
Representatives from Intel, Best Buy, and HP joined school and district staff at the Sioux City Best Buy on Monday, October 20, for a presentation and recognition ceremony. Jonny Long from Intel presented the school with a commemorative plaque and congratulated the Best Buy team for their achievement in the national competition.
