Leroy Tindi
MOUSE Squad Alum, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy
"MOUSE has provided life changing experiences for me that have added tremendously to my passion for technology… regardless of the company or industry, you will always need technology and the skills we learn as part of the MOUSE Squad."
“Useful Time Wasting,” the title of Leroy Tindi’s college essay, refers to the endless time Leroy spent on the computer when he was young, using paint programs, creating presentations and surfing the web. It also refers to his mother’s accusation: “Get off the computer. There’s nothing you are doing beside wasting time!”
Leroy has been passionate about technology since he was very young. His interest and skill made him the “go to” person for technical support at home. When he was a seventh grader at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy, he and his twin brother Lawy joined the MOUSE Squad program. Soon after, Leroy became the “go to” person in school, as well. “I remember on one occasion helping my English teacher with her laptop,” he said, “and feeling extremely proud of having helped someone.”
When Leroy entered high school, he continued his role on the MOUSE Squad, and also became a mentor to the Middle School MOUSE Squad students. He was selected to participate in the MOUSE Corps program, which provides additional leadership and professional opportunities for High School students.
One of the MOUSE Corps projects involved developing a project that would help others in their community. Leroy chose to develop an equipment inventory system that could be used by his school, as well as all NYC public schools, to track their electronic equipment. “This was perhaps the first time I had formal computer training experience working on a specific project to achieve a measurable and useful goal.”
Given the success of this project, Leroy was invited to present his Equipment Inventory system at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Antonio, Texas. “I felt very happy when I was at NECC,” Leroy stated. “It helped me to see the impact of what I was doing and a direction for what I might want to do in the future.”
MOUSE Corps also provided Leroy with meaningful professional opportunities. During the spring of 10th grade, Leroy participated in a Shadowship at UBS, a worldwide finanical firm. Leroy “shadowed” IT professionals at UBS, learning about what they do and about the career paths they have taken. Leroy watched as they handled computer viruses and other technical issues. “At UBS, I realized that regardless of the company or industry, you will always need technology and the skills we learn as part of the MOUSE Squad,” Leroy shared, regarding his first professional experience.
After attending a MOUSE Corps workshop on resume and cover letter writing, Leroy created and submitted his resume for a Summer Internship. He was thrilled to learn that he had been selected for a paid summer internship at Citi on Wall Street. At Citi, Leroy had his own desk and computer and truly felt he was one of their IT specialists. He monitored their online problem tracking system and assigned himself technical issues he could resolve, including virus scans, computer hardware and software upgrades. “This was a life changing experience for me. It helped me to realize what I love to do -- and when you like what you are doing, you will be at your best.”
During 11th grade, Leroy and his brother developed a soccer video that would convey the importance of how to attain a goal. Using a soccer tryout scenario, they illustrated what it takes to make the soccer team. This gave Leroy experience in film production and editing, as well a chance to combine two of Leroy’s passions: technology and soccer. Leroy and Lawy presented this video at the NYC Digital Youth Media and Technology Festival.
Leroy will attend Ithaca College in Fall 2010 and plans to major in Computer Science. He was recently accepted into the Martin Luther King Scholarship Program that emphasizes citizenship and service in the global community, and challenges students to think critically, act compassionately and take a leadership role in advocating for social justice and equality.
When asked what he might want to pursue after college, Leroy responded, “I would like to help people from less developed countries in their daily lives and address some of the significant issues they are facing, hunger and poverty, as examples. Information is critical to addressing these issues and technology can provide the access to the information needed to tackle these problems.”
Reflecting on the experience with MOUSE, Leroy stated, “My whole experience has been broadened because of MOUSE. When I first joined MOUSE, I didn’t realize all the things I would get to do. I didn’t know much about fixing computers, but I learned that even if you don’t know, you should still try, because you never know what you can do.”
The list of what I have learned from the MOUSE Squad program can go on forever. The training has helped me to be confident about what I do and has taught me... read more ›
– Jessica Alberto, MOUSE Squad Member, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
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TechCrew allows me to start my day working with a group of students that have true passion and dedication…TechCrew teaches our students how to work as part of a group and leaves them... read more ›
– Marcos Alcozer, Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
MOUSE Squad has provided invaluable assistance to our school and made technology easy for our entire staff. Those on MOUSE Squad are surrounded by students who are successful inside and outside the classroom. read more ›
– Anthony Barbetta, Principal, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
I recognize MOUSE for its dedication to providing our city’s schools with the technological tools and support to keep our children competitive in the information age. read more ›
– Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City
The experiences that MOUSE provides its participants help ensure that high school graduates are prepared for good jobs during the summer and in their future careers. MOUSE’s unique emphasis on technology training... read more ›
– Gale Brewer, New York City Council Member, Technology Committee Chair
I love finishing school and coming to MOUSE. I love the teamwork and the time to learn new things about computers. read more ›
– Aram Buenaventura, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
MOUSE and SAP apply the same core values – quality, integrity, commitment, and passion – to our organizations. We see MOUSE Corps students as our next generation of employees and customers. MOUSE empowers... read more ›
– Ron Carolan, Chief Financial Officer, SAP Global Marketing
We must leverage technology to provide engaging, powerful learning experiences for all students, giving them authentic tools to solve real-world problems and opportunities to become better prepared for our globally competitive workforce. read more ›
– Karen Cator, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education
When I started the internship, my manager brought me to the trading floor. It was the best thing in the world to see all the traders and to know they were my clients,... read more ›
– Duckens Durosier, MOUSE Squad Alum, George Wingate High School
Being on MOUSE Squad adds to my experience in school by making me confident about myself. read more ›
– Daniela Fernandez, MOUSE Squad Member, Sylvandale Middle School, California
Our MOUSE Squad students stand a little taller. They recognize that they have special skills and are respected for it.
– Dr. Katherine Flori, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, W.C Byrant High School, New York
To me, programs like this don't exactly go to every school around. I enjoy the program and what they teach. My interest in technology has enhanced greatly because of MOUSE Squad. read more ›
– Ally Garcia, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
Participating in the MOUSE Squad gave me a true sense of purpose. I never could have imagined in just 8 years, I would be CEO of my own technology consulting firm and... read more ›
– Juan Garzon, MOUSE Squad Alum, Robert F. Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology,
The people at MOUSE are a living, breathing testament to the notion that when an organization is centered around a thoughtful and attainable goal—staffed by competent, bright and passionate individuals—there is very little... read more ›
– Mehran Ghaffarsamar , MOUSE Intern, Baruch College
Our MOUSE Squad students are demonstrating leadership skills, learning about responsibilities and how to communicate with adults. This program is inspiring our students and giving them a glimpse of future career opportunities. read more ›
– Carla Haakma, Principal, Los Arboles Elementary School, California
MOUSE Squad students learn many skills frequently cited by employers as keys to success in the workplace, including leadership, communication, teamwork problem solving and time management. read more ›
– Jan Half, Executive Director, MOUSE Squad of California
We recognize that student attendance and graduation are increasingly important issues facing public schools. We are looking to target specific schools as we have seen the TechCrew program have a positive impact in... read more ›
– Victor Herrera, Director of Technology, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Chicago
For our school, MOUSE Squad plays an integral role in supporting our technology, saving us both time and money. But more importantly, students participate in positive experiences that give them a strong... read more ›
– Seth Hubbert, Faculty Coordinator, High School for Arts & Technology
The MOUSE program should be in every school in New York City. read more ›
– Robert Jackson, Member, New York City Council
What excites me most about MOUSE Squad is going to fix computers and hanging out with friends. I really think MOUSE Squad pushes you to try and learn new things. read more ›
– Danielle Jacobs, MOUSE Squad Member, Cooper High School, Abilene Texas
I feel like I'm a part of an important team that keeps the school running more efficiently...Being on TechCrew helps improve the leadership qualities that we, as students, are developing for the future. read more ›
– Edwin Le, Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago
MOUSE has been able to light my path of maturity. Being shown everything I can do, and looking back at everything I’ve been a part of, I now realize what I want... read more ›
– Ryan Mason, MOUSE Squad Alum, School of the Future
MOUSE Squad has taught me the skills I need for the future. read more ›
– Ismelda Monegro, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE brought me where I stand today and gave me real life work experience. MOUSE taught me about leadership and teamwork, and that there is no such thing as a bad idea. read more ›
– Dhondup Namgyal, MOUSE Corps Member, International High School
The MOUSE Squad students are very curious and want to learn. Everyone knows about the MOUSE Squad in this school. read more ›
– Emmanuel Ourum, CUNY Intern, PS 43 MOUSE Squad
My internship with Sullivan & Cromwell would not have been possible without the help of MOUSE, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help students integrate technology into their everyday lives and ultimately... read more ›
– Ivan Pereda, MOUSE Squad Member, Baccalaureate School for Global Education
Leadership, pride, self confidence and a sense of responsibility -- this is the impact of the MOUSE Squad program on our students. read more ›
– Norma Perez, Principal, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE Squad has proven time and again that students who graduate after participating are more equipped for the next stage in their lives, especially in today’s vast information technology world. This program... read more ›
– Christine C. Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council
Thanks to Abilene Independent School District (AISD) for incorporating such a program and major kudos to Nathan Monroe, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, ATEMS. He actively leads a group that daily makes the teacher’s lives... read more ›
– Rebecca Rampy, Instruction Technology Specialist, Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (ATEMS) in Abilene, Texas
Juniper's community engagement vision is to use the power of the new network to take on the toughest challenges facing our communities and to connect and empower people everywhere. MOUSE exemplifies this vision... read more ›
– Darryl Ramsey, Public Sector - Americas, Business Development and Technical Strategy, Juniper Networks
MOUSE empowers students to lead and support the use of technology in their schools, while also helping them to discover their creative, technological, and learning potential. read more ›
– Linda G. Roberts, National Consultant on Technology and Education
I thank MOUSE for starting my career. Without MOUSE, I would not be as successful as I am today. read more ›
– Mendy Rodriguez, MOUSE Squad Alum; Junior Analyst, IT Service Desk, Time Inc.
Thanks to efforts of MOUSE, young people throughout New York City will have the opportunity to better their lives and become productive members of our society.
– Charles E. Schumer, United States Senator for New York
I commend MOUSE for improving the educational opportunities for young people, motivating them to attend college and preparing them for high quality jobs in the future. read more ›
– José E. Serrano, Congressman, 16th District of New York
Watching MOUSE Squad grow from a pilot to an established entity has been a thrilling experience. I’ve seen my students grow from tentative kids, virtually afraid of touching machines, to savvy technicians,... read more ›
– Kiri Soares, Principal, Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women
MOUSE has provided life changing experiences for me that have added tremendously to my passion for technology… regardless of the company or industry, you will always need technology and the skills we learn... read more ›
– Leroy Tindi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy
We try to focus on career readiness, laying the foundation and opening their eyes to careers they might consider in the future. I tell my students that if they want to be... read more ›
– Matthew Valia, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, Berta A. Drefus School
MOUSE is an excellent example of rethinking how to put students at the center of their own learning and reorganizing schools around their motivations and strengths. read more ›
– Arthur VanderVeen, Chief of Innovation Strategy and Policy, NYC Department of Education
Through the CPS TechCrew program, I have learned how to explore computers, how to fix problems that are usually deferred to someone else, and what it's like to work on a team that... read more ›
– Simon Vecchioni, CPS TechCrew Member, Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
I believe strongly in public education and the opportunity it can and should provide to all. MOUSE provides a valuable service, closing the gap between heavily resourced schools and those in underserved areas. read more ›
– Peter Vincent, Head of Human Resources, Time Inc.
What excites me most about being part of this program is that I get to interact with other students who share the same goals and who hope to learn more on how to... read more ›
– Monique Williams, Chicago TechCrew Member, Tarkington School of Excellence
MOUSE taught me perspective, a way of working with people and how to think, speak and write in a professional way. read more ›
– Syed Zaidi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Baccalaureate School for Global Education
