Dude, you're getting a Dell!

For three Ironton High School students and an Ironton Junior High School student, that catchy television commercial line has new meaning, thanks to the Liebert Corporation and the students' own school record.

Liebert donated four complete Dell Computer sets to the schools to be given away to deserving students.

The junior high will give away its computer the last week of school. The three high school students won their computers as part of the school's Tiger Incentives program. The program, started two years ago, rewards students for good attendance, good grades and good behavior.

Prizes are given away each grading period, with grand prizes handed out at the end-of-the-year awards assembly that took place Wednesday morning. This year, those grand prizes came in large boxes.

"Joe Rowe (IHS principal) called me and asked me if Liebert would be willing to donate a monetary award or a computer or something to that effect," Liebert manufacturing manager Jerry Rowe said.

"We do budget for those kinds of things and we hope to be able to budget for this from now on. It's a good program, a good incentive for the kids."

A good incentive, indeed for Chris Brown, an IHS junior and one of the computer winners.

"I'm very grateful they donated these to the school," Brown said.

"I didn't believe it was me, at first," fellow junior and computer winner Bruce Fugett said. "I've never won anything big."

The third winner, Allison Hicks, said she thought her odds of winning were too low for her to walk away with one of the Dells but she is happy she was wrong.

"I was shocked," she said. "I really didn't think I'd get one."

For Liebert Human Resources Representative Kathleen Dempsey, there was satisfaction in knowing the computers would be put to good use.

"We're proud to be able to help these young people as they move forward, are starting jobs, going to college. We're proud to be a part of that," she said.

In addition to the three computer winners, 40 high school students walked away with $20 honorariums from Gear Up.