JVS student earns computer after completing certifications

Jefferson County Joint Vocational School graduate Anthony Fiala received a new computer system he built in the school’s computer network technologies program.

Fiala, the son of Wayne and Stacey Fiala of Irondale, is an Edison High School student and was among eight JVS students tasked with building their own computers in the lab. He worked with JVS technology coordinator Ron Peach to get the equipment, and students built their units this spring.

After passing his CompTIA Tech+ and CompTIA A+ exams, Fiala was allowed to keep his computer for personal use.

“I’ve worked with Ron Peach through the student tech program, but for this we purchased and ordered the parts,” Fiala said.

He and Peach obtained Windows-based AMD processors. Each system has 16 gigabytes of RAM, 500 gigabytes of storage and an RX 9060 graphics card with 16 gigabytes of memory.

“It took all of us about two or three days to get them assembled,” Fiala said. “I’m very happy. It makes me feel like all of my work was worth something.”

Fiala hopes to enter the workforce or possibly attend a post-secondary institution to continue studying in the field.

Program instructor Wayne Harris said Fiala had to pass all four of his online web exams and praised him for passing one advanced test.

“CompTIA Tech+ is entry-level certification, but CompTIA A+ is usually for those with an associate’s degree or two to three years of work experience,” Harris said. “Anyone can buy this training program and people in India and China take the same tests, so it’s great for our students to take the tests in high school.”

Exams may be taken online or in person, with the nearest testing centers in the Pittsburgh area. Fiala chose to take the exams online. Each test took 130 minutes, and Harris said all eight seniors completed examinations, with Fiala being the first to pass. Other students may qualify to receive computers if they also pass.

Harris said he and Peach first discussed the idea of giving computers to students last year and he was glad Principal/Supervisor Heather Hoover agreed. He said the opportunity has motivated juniors to work toward the same goal next year.

“We’ve always built computers each year but never offered them to the students as a reward,” Harris said. “I think it’s fantastic. It’s going to be a great recruiting tool and motivator. They picked out the computers and built them and it’s pretty much like their capstone project. I’ve had juniors actually talking not about if they are taking computers home next year, but when they are taking computers home. I’ve seen a drastic improvement in motivation.”