Over 500 high school freshmen in the Sunnyside Unified School district were awarded a new laptop computer in ceremonies Thursday night.

It was the result of a new program in the district offering the reward in return for excellent attendance, good grades and participation in at least one extra-curricular activity at the school.

Superintendent Dr. Manuel Isquierdo told Fox 11 News,  “We had attendance problems in this district, we had failure problems. Our graduation rate struggled at 65 percent.”

But he says the "Digital Advantage" program has impacted those numbers.

It impacted freshmen Samatha Mendez who says, “I'm pretty proud.  I'm proud of myself that I actually get a laptop.”

Elexa Parra is also a freshman at Sunnyside High School.  She also took home a brand new, state of the art laptop, saying, “I was really nervous, because it's really hard to get really good grades and do an extra activity.” 

Dr. Isquierdo spearheaded the project raising a million dollars from local sponsors.  He says the community and student response has been overwhelming. “We're transforming our district and we're disturbing it, saying don't settle for less.   Lets expect the best and it's happening,” he told Fox 11.

The event to award the computer was held at Centennial Hall on the University of Arizona campus. Dr. Isquierdo says the location of the event was picked with a purpose. He wanted to inspire the students to a higher education, especially now that they have the proper tools for success, technology and self confidence.

Samantha Mendez agrees. She says, “ Yeah it makes me feel real proud.  I know that I’m smarter than I think I am.”

Freshman Jesse Geborkoff says now he’s setting his sights on college, saying, “If I can do that, I can do pretty much anything I want.  If I ever think about something I'll just go for it.”

The Sunnyside Unified School District plans on continuing the program for the next three years.