Laurie Holtsbery G’97 has been named the local winner from the Central New York market for its Super Connector Search contest. Holtsberry received her master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from the Syracuse University School of Education.
In October, Time Warner Cable launched its Super Connector Search contest, asking its customers to share how they’ve connected young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math.
“We’re very excited to name Laurie Holtsbery as the official Time Warner Cable Central New York Super Connector,” said Henry Pearl, Time Warner Cable Area Vice President of Operations. “Customers like Laurie are introducing young people to STEM experiences that are inspiring them to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. We are happy to recognize this commitment with a grant to Say Yes in recognition of all they do to open the door to college for every Syracuse City School District student.”
Holtsbery is an Academic Intervention teacher at Salem Hyde Elementary in Syracuse. She has been instrumental in starting an after-school robotics teams, instituting student & parent math and science nights and engages her students in a wide variety of after school and in-school initiatives designed to get her students excited about the varying kinds of STEM opportunities right here in CNY.
“We applaud the efforts of Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds program,” said Rachael Gazdick, Executive Director for Say Yes to Education. “It is more important than ever for us all to take ownership in getting our youngest minds inspired early on in their academic careers. We truly appreciate volunteers like Laurie Holtsbery and are thrilled to receive this grant so we may further develop programming that will engage our students in the STEM fields.”
As the winner, she will star in her own public service announcement for Connect a Million Minds, Time Warner Cable’s five-year, $100 million philanthropic initiative to inspire kids to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Time Warner Cable will also donate $5,000 to Say Yes to Education, a non-profit foundation committed to ensuring that all urban school students have the opportunity to reach their potential and attend college.
Now all Central New Yorkers can help Holtsbery win and shine a spotlight on CNY. From November 28 through December 11, people can vote for Laurie Holtsbery or any of Time Warner Cable’s other Super Connector finalists. The finalist with the most votes will receive an additional $10,000 grant for the STEM non-profit organization they support.
About Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds
Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds is a five-year, $100 million philanthropic initiative to address America’s declining proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which puts our children at risk of not competing successfully in a global economy. Using its media assets, Time Warner Cable creates awareness of the issue and inspires students to develop the STEM skills they need to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. Program highlights include: original PSAs that challenge public perceptions of STEM; a unique website, where parents and community members can pledge to connect young people with the wonders of science; “The Connectory”, a one-of-a-kind online resource that makes it simple and easy for parents and students to find informal science and technology learning opportunities in their communities; grants to support non-profit organizations that bring stimulating, high-quality and affordable after-school STEM learning to students; Time Warner Cable employees, over 47,000 strong, who volunteer their time at community events like science fairs and robotics competitions, and share their passion for engineering and technology with students at Connect a Million Minds career days. Time Warner Cable’s national Connect a Million Minds partners are CSAS (Coalition for Science After School) and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Local Time Warner Cable markets are activating Connect a Million Minds across the country with community-specific programs and partnerships.