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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Perry from Baltimore, MD is requesting computers & tablets through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Perry is requesting

Cyber Futures: Empowering Low-Income Students for Competition and Success

Help me give my students the funding for our first two (of six) HP 17.3-inch competition-ready laptops to support low-income students' participation in cybersecurity competitions, gaining experience and scholarship opportunities.

  • $1,594 goal

This project expired on May 1, 2025.

This project expired on May 1, 2025.

My Project

My students are very special to me, and I care deeply about their growth, both academically and personally. I have the privilege of teaching them from 10th through 12th grade, which allows me to see them change and grow over time. This long-term connection helps me guide them through their challenges and achievements, not just as students, but as people. The bonds we create over these years are meaningful, and I am proud to be part of their journey into adulthood.

What I enjoy most about teaching my students is seeing their passions and skills develop.

Many of them start with curiosity and potential, and through competitions like CyberPatriot, picoCTF, and PACTF, they will learn valuable skills in system administration, problem-solving, and teamwork. These competitions have the capability to give them hands-on experience in cybersecurity, teaching them both technical skills and the importance of working together. The skills they gain align with key areas of the NICE Framework, preparing them for a career in high-demand fields.

These competitions offer more than just technical knowledge—they open doors to scholarships, internships, and careers in cybersecurity. For students from underprivileged backgrounds, this can be life-changing, and it’s rewarding to see them seize these opportunities.

To help them succeed, I aim to provide the tools they need. High-powered laptops are essential for running the cybersecurity programs and simulations needed for these competitions. With the right technology, my students can compete on an equal footing, improving their efficiency and learning experience.

In the end, my students are special because I get to be part of their growth over these crucial years. They are more than learners—they are young individuals shaping their futures, and it’s an honor to support them on this path.

Ms. Perry Mergenthaler Vocational Technical Senior High School 410 Grades 9-12

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Perry

Baltimore, MD View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

35 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
HP 17.3-inch Laptop, 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Windows 11 Home (17.3-cn0026nr,Natural Silver) • Amazon Business $616.04 2 $1,232.08

Materials cost

$1,232.08

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $73.92

3rd party payment processing fee

$18.48

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,354.48

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$239.03

Total project goal

$1,593.51

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Perry and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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