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April 7, 2025From Sheetz to Service: South Hills IT Students Refurbish Laptop for Local Toastmasters Club
From Sheetz to Service: South Hills IT Students Refurbish Laptop for Local Toastmasters Club
At South Hills School of Business & Technology, learning goes beyond the classroom—and sometimes, it even sparks a chain reaction of community support.
Recently, Information Technology students at South Hills refurbished a previously used laptop and donated it to the Allegheny Mountains Toastmasters Club, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals build confidence and communication skills.
But the story doesn’t start there.
The laptop originally came to South Hills as a donation from Sheetz, the popular convenience store chain headquartered in Altoona. Rather than sending the outdated tech straight to e-recycling, Sheetz saw an opportunity for the students at South Hills to get hands-on experience with real-world hardware. Their donation was a spark that lit the way for both learning and giving back.
With guidance from their instructors, the students rolled up their sleeves and got to work. They cleaned the laptop, repaired and reconfigured the system, and prepared it for practical use once again. Instead of collecting dust, the laptop now has a second life—and a meaningful purpose—with Toastmasters, where it will be used to support their meetings and mission.
“This is a win-win for everyone,” said a South Hills representative. “Our students gain valuable hands-on experience, and a local nonprofit gets equipment they truly need. It’s a perfect example of how collaboration and community can make a real difference.”
Allegheny Mountains Toastmasters shared the donation on their social media, complete with a photo and a message of appreciation.
At South Hills, we believe that learning should not only prepare students for their careers, but also empower them to serve their communities. This project is a great reminder that even old tech can have new purpose—with the right skills and a little heart.
