Photo: Al Roker
Longtime TODAY Show meteorologist Al Roker surprised Digital Harbor High School Principal Taiisha Swinton-Buck and her students with 1,400 laptops and a year's worth of free internet on Monday.
Roker and Comcast worked together to surprise Swinton-Buck after she was named Maryland's Principal of the Year. As reported by TODAY, Swinton-Buck used "love, devotion and TikToks" to lead Digital Harbor High School to "record-setting" attendance and grade-point averages.
"It means everything to us," Swinton-Buck told TODAY.
"At Digital Harbor High School, we’re focused on technology. Computers kept us connected during the COVID closures, and so we’re so happy that we can continue on-trend. We’re going to stay focused!"
Swinton-Buck's impact is not only felt within the halls and classrooms of Digital Harbor High School. In addition to the 1,400 laptops donated to Swinton-Buck's students, Comcast has committed to giving 1,600 laptops to various Baltimore area youth programs.
“I feel like she has taken care of me like I'm actually her own daughter," Digital Harbor High School student Jaelyn Lyles told TODAY about Swinton-Buck's impact.
“Principal Swinton Buck is the best principal in the world. If you don't like her, I don't know what's wrong with you," Dajuan Honeyblue added.
Roker's visit to the Baltimore high school is the second installment of TODAY's "Once In A Lifetime" series. Throughout the 2021-2022 NFL Season, Roker and company will travel to various cities where Sunday Night Football games are being played and offer support for community changemakers. Last week, NBC worked with the Los Angeles Rams to offer support for a youth football program in Watts, California. The program will get financial support as well as tickets to November's showdown between the Titans and the Rams. Not to mention, many of the youth program's players will have an opportunity to watch the Super Bowl in Los Angeles next year.
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