Laurel Hill Elementary could win $5,000 for new computers and is asking for the community's help.

All a supporter has to do is cast an online vote supporting the local primary school, according to Katie Rohleder, school librarian.

Laurel Hill was selected as a Spirit Awards finalists in Windstream's Classroom Connections program, according to Michelle Ferraro, a spokesman for the competition. The Spirit Award is a $5,000 donation that schools can use to fund anything from computers and text books to band uniforms to athletic equipment.

Thirty finalists were selected from over 120 online video entries, and an online vote will determine the top 10 schools to receive the award.

"It's kind of a big deal," Rohleder said.

Laurel Hill ranks ninth at 2,251 votes as of press time.

The above-average performance is from teachers campaigning on facebook for votes, according to Rohleder.

"We have to make sure we stay there," she said. "If we win, we will get new computers in our school library."

The media center is short on computers, according to Rohleder.

"Currently, we don't even have enough in the library for a whole class to get on at the same time," she said.

Children currently pair up or take turns so everyone can use a computer.

"With that money, we'll have enough for an entire class to sit at their own computer

it's basically limitless," she said.

The computers are antiquated, she said, with some still running Windows 98.

"Some of these kids don't have computers at home," she said. "When they come to school, it is their only chance to get to learn to use them."

Computers can teach children real-world skills needed for the modern job site, Rohleder said.

Part of the video submitted by Laurel Hill Elementary shows a group of students receiving instruction in the computer lab. One of the students has problems with her computer and the instructor says "Haley, yours is frozen, honey. Move to another one."

It ends with the students saying "We need new computers."

Votes may be cast at www.lifetimetour.com/topvideos.php. Someone may vote once per day. The deadline for voting is Sept. 7.

You can view the vote tallies online.

Laurel Hill is the only Scotland County school vying for the award.

The schools currently ranked in the top 10 are: Commerce Middle School in Commerce, Ga. with 7,528 votes; J.R. Ingram Elementary in Sanford, N.C. with 7,179 votes; St. Elizabeth School in St. Elizabeth, Mo. with 6,738 votes; White County Ninth Grade Academy in Cleveland, Ga. with 3,418 votes; Prague High School in Prague, Okla. with 3,010 votes; Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit in Edinboro, Penn. with 2,815 votes; Winder-Barrow Middle School in Winder, Ga. with 2,681 votes; Nob Hill Early Childhood Center in Ruidoso, N.M. with 2,509 votes; Laurel Hill Elementary School with 2,251 votes; and North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Ga. with 2,186 votes.