A 16-year-old Brebeuf student is in New York this week to receive a national award for public service. Sophomore Daniel Kent of Carmel is being honored for established Senior Connects, a program that uses student volunteers to train senior citizens in retirement centers how to use computers. He has also set up a donation network for individuals or businesses to give old computers to his program. Last year, his organization trained 100 seniors in 61 independent or assisted living facilities in the Indianapolis area in computer skills. He says some of his elderly “students” are apprehensive about computers, but most quickly embrace them as a way to keep in touch with grandchildren or as a form of entertainment, and says Solitaire is their favorite game. Kent will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant as part of his “Brick Award” Tuesday evening in New York City. The award comes from the Do Something organization, which is involved in providing youth leadership and citizenship initiatives.
