Children at M.S. 390 have a gleaming new computer lab in honor of one of the school’s most dedicated teachers due to a donation from her son, a successful entrepreneur.
The Trywa Watson Computer Lab will serve as a daily reminder of the importance the math teacher placed on improving the lives of children. Watson passed away from Lupus in 2007. She was a highly respected and devoted educator at M.S. 390, at 1930 Andrews Avenue, for several years.A former director of Drake Business School, she also worked as an employee at the Department of Education for two decades, and was awarded the Rookie Teacher Award in 1988.
The lab includes a total of 30 new Dell personal computers, an electronic smart board, and printers donated by Watson’s son, entrepreneur Ajene Watson. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the school on Thursday, May 13. Ajene Watson joined with Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene, Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, Councilman Fernando Cabrera, Jaclyn Berryman of the Department of Education, teachers and children to inaugurate the lab. Greene presented Ajene Watson with a citation from the borough president’s office for his generousity.
“I am overwhelemed with joy to present the Trywa Watson Computer Lab to Middle School 390,” Ajene Watson said. “Empowering children through education was my mother’s mission in life. As I stand here with Principal Mercedes and community leaders, in my mother’s honor, knowing that her dream will be continued to be fufilled through this lab makes me and my family extremly proud.”
Watson recalled in his remarks that his mother purchased a computer for him in the early 1980s, when none of his peers owned one. He said it gave him an advatage that has helped him grow into a successful entrepreneur as executive managing member of Ajene Watson LLC, a private lending and development business established in 2008 with an emphasis in providing services for publically traded companies. Now he wants to give back and remember his mother.
“I come from a long line of educators, but I know what it means to be socially responsible from my mother,” Watson said.
Shortly after her passing, M.S. 390 honored Watson with a tree planting in a memorial garden at the school that also bears her name.
“Trywa was a giving, beautiful spirit and dedicated so much of her life to teaching and giving to others,” said M.S. 390 principal Robert Mercedes. “She was so commmitted to her students, and taught us until the last few days before her passing. Her passion for giving back has sent ripple effects throughout the entire community.”
Anjee Watson also presented a $10,000 check to the school from a non-profit that he founded called Education Now.
Reach reporter Patrick Rocchio at (718) 742-3393 or procchio@cnglocal.com.
