Pilot Travel Center presents check to Joplin Schools

JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin Schools this week received $10,000 in grant funds from Pilot Travel Centers in support of district technology improvements.
Joplin Schools Director of Technology Eric Pitcher said the district intends to use the significant gift in two ways.

“This will help us replace the current Networked Attached Storage (NAS) at Joplin High School,” said Pitcher, allowing the district to purchase “a newer system with more volume, drive bay space and upgraded hardware to increase storage capacity for the foreseeable future.”

Nearly 220 students – including those in classes for TV and audio production, yearbook, newspaper, and graphic design – or roughly 10% of the student population from both Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center utilize the NAS each year. The current NAS is also used
to archive historical athletic film for multiple sports programs.

Pitcher noted that as image quality increases due to improved camera technology, so does the size of media files and the need for heftier storage options to archive student-created content.

The grant funds will also be used to help begin the district’s new esports teams, which will allow local students to compete in this growing industry for the first time. Esports is competitive, organized video gaming, and the industry is experiencing fast growth: more than $20 million in annual esports scholarships are estimated to be available for today’s high school and college students.

“Esports has the potential to reach a different student population that would not otherwise be interested in afterschool activities,” said Pitcher. “Studies have shown students who participate in afterschool programs improve attendance and grades.”

Thanks to Pilot Travel Center’s partnership, Joplin Schools is excited to add value for our students and create opportunities for their hard work to be both safeguarded and enhanced.

“We are excited about Pilot Travel Center’s interest and efforts to pursue a partnership with Joplin Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Kerry Sachetta.

“The parameters for the grant and the focus they afforded us to address these needs for our students was outstanding,” Sachetta added.