MADISON CO., Miss. (WLBT) – Students at Shirley Simmons Middle School received laptops Thursday during a ceremony commemorating a broadband network expansion in northeast Madison County.

129 students in grades six through eight received a laptop to keep through multiple partnerships with Comcast.

Students did not know about the donation before the ceremony.

“I mean, at first, I thought we turn it in at the end of the year. But when I heard that we didn’t, it was a blessing. A lot of people around this area don’t get these things that we have and it’s a blessing and I’m very excited,” said Tabitha Sanders, an eighth-grade student at Shirley Simmons Middle School.

Sanders said the laptop will help her study at home.

“I mean, I can study at home a little bit better. I can watch videos that can help me with stuff I didn’t understand in school,” Sanders said.

Sixth-grader Winter Gilbert said she can use the laptop to prepare for state tests in May.

The ceremony marked the completion of a major broadband network expansion in northeast Madison County. Organizations have advocated for rural broadband expansion in the area on the local, state and federal level for years.

The project was made possible through multiple partnerships and millions of dollars in grants.

“It’s a great spot up here. The kids are learning but now they will learn better and faster because of Comcast contributions. Every one of them got a new laptop to play and learn on and we want them to learn a lot and stay in Mississippi,” said Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.

Hosemann said the donation will ensure students have the tools they need to navigate the digital world.

“We are linking with the education of the future. These kids will run Mississippi in the future,” said Hosemann.

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