"We nearly choked when

we heard the cost," Byars says.

Both Byars and Pope, who enjoy

woodworking, knew that they could construct the same type of table for

a fraction of the cost. Supplies to build the tables cost approximately

$1,000.

Byars and Pope spent a total

of 40 hours on weekends and after school building the tables and then

installed them on the Presidents Day holiday.

desks, these two individuals saved the school $6,000, which Whitewater

plans to use to purchase a new file server to more adequately support

the different computer programs utilized by students and teachers.

Without the volunteer spirit

of Byars and Pope, the school would not have been able to afford the purchase

of both the tables and a file server.

"It is important to note

that Jason and Tommy constructed and installed these tables on their own

time and that they did not get paid for the labor," says Whitewater

Principal Sandra Kidd. "I appreciate very much what they did for

our school. They both took time away from their families to do this and

that shows a lot of dedication on their part."

Before installation of the

tables, the lab could only hold 14 computers. Now a total of 24 machines

fit comfortably, providing additional instructional areas for students.

The PTO is currently working

on a way to honor Byars and Pope for their hard work and dedication to

the school and its students.

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