Typically, the sign of the checkered flag spurs F1 race car driver Mark Webber on to great speeds. However, the famous and dashing Australian driver took the handmade checkered flags being waved by students – many of whom were in wheelchairs – at Mackay Center School last week as a sign to slow down and get close to some very devoted fans.
Webber dropped in to visit the Montreal school as part of “Driver Day”, a day he devoted to activities organized by HP, a major sponsor of Webber’s team, BMW Williams F1. Before visiting Mackay, Webber was the star attraction of a coffee talk with employees at HP’s Kirkland offices. He signed autographs and answered questions about how he copes with a life of constant change as a race car driver.
The students at Mackay are used to attention since the school is renowned for its work with the deaf, physically disabled, speech-impaired and others with special needs. This visit, however, drew louder cheers than anything Principal Ben Fagan had heard before. “They have been excited about this visit for days and hung on his every word,” said Ben.
That holds doubly true for Mackay student Bradley Heaven. Cerebral palsy has left the Grade One student unable to speak so he communicates with a Dynavox computer attached to his wheelchair, moving his head to trigger the device. His question to Mark: “What was your best subject in school?”
The crowd let out a laugh as Mark admitted he wasn’t a great student and that agriculture was his strongest subject. If he hadn’t become a race car driver, Mark said he would have either worked at his father’s petrol station in Australia or trained to be a plumber.
Mark seemed almost oblivious to the crush of television cameras and photographers, keeping his smile and gaze focused on the students around him.
“Meeting these students is an important reminder to me of the challenges faced by many people and how fortunate I am,” he said. “These are brave little soldiers and seeing them gives me great motivation to go out there, train hard and do the best I can.”
More cheers went up when Mark revealed the true reason for his visit – the announcement of a donation by HP of a Technology for Teaching grant. The Mackay Center School is one of eight K-12 Canadian schools selected to receive equipment, cash and professional development valued at $41,000.
The package includes five HP Tablet PCs, five HP multimedia projectors, five HP digital cameras, an HP Officejet All-in-One, a $500 stipend per teacher and a professional development program that includes customized learning opportunities, expert mentoring and participation in an online learning community to support teachers’ use of technology.
Teachers at Mackay Center will use the HP Tablet PC in combination with SmartBoard interactive whiteboard technology to help improve the math skills of children with language disabilities. “Our experience with this type of technology is that while it is beneficial to students in general, it is essential for our special-needs students since it allows them to participate on a more equal level with their peers,” said Principal Fagan. “HP has been a wonderful partner and supporter of our school and we are very grateful for their contribution.”
HP’s relationship with Mackay began several years ago through employee Angelo D’Amore. “I was driving to work one day and heard on the radio that the school had been robbed and all their computer equipment had been stolen.” Angelo approached the local donations committee and quickly organized a technology donation. He has been an active volunteer at the school ever since.
Before heading out to his next appointment and ultimately the track to begin training for Saturday’s race (he came in 5th), Mark took some time to mingle with the kids, exchange a few words and sign autographs.
“He didn’t seem like a flashy show business-type at all,” said Angelo. “Just an ordinary man with an appreciation of the importance of giving back to your community. What he gave the students here today is going to stay with them for a long time.”
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