Connected Nation

A digitally inclusive journey: Meet the 2025 Student Broadband Hero Award winner

• Jessica Denson • Season 6 • Episode 16

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What do YOU think motivates some people to put their own needs aside to help others? We talked with one extraordinary teenager who is taking action to the close the Digital Divide – by helping both senior citizens and those dealing with homelessness. 

On this episode of Connected Nation, we head to Birmingham, Alabama to meet the 2025 National Student Broadband Hero Award honoree – Michael Schmalz.  

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Digital Harmonies

Press release announcing the 2025 Student Broadband Hero Award winner

Jessica Denson (00:05):

This is Connected Nation, an award-winning podcast focused on all things broadband from closing the digital divide to improving your internet speeds. We talk technology topics that impact all of us, our families, and our neighborhoods. Let me ask you a simple question. What do you think motivates some people to put their own needs aside to help others? On today's podcast, I talk with one extraordinary teenager who is taking action to close the digital divide by helping both senior citizens and those dealing with homelessness. Join me as we head to Birmingham, Alabama to meet the 2025 National Student Broadband Hero Award honoree Michael Schmaltz. I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation.Tom Ferree (00:58):

It is been said that there's no definition of a successful life that doesn't include service to others. And indeed, we are here today to celebrate a young man that has not only lived that spirit, but has embodied that principle to make an indelible mark on his community and serve as an example for young people across the country. My name's Tom Ferree, as you heard. Uh, I lead Connected Nation. It's a national nonprofit formed in 2001, whose sole mission is to expand the possibilities of broadband through increasing the access and adoption and use of that technology. Digital literacy is the crucial part of that work, or even if folks in businesses can connect if they don't understand why or how to unleash the opportunities and the power of the technology. All of our work is for n and that's why the work of Michael Smoltz is so important. So Michael, I'm excited to present this award to you, the 2025 National Student Broadband Award from Connected Nation. And if you'd like to come up to the stage, we'll be honored to, uh, bestow that honor.Jessica Denson (01:59):

That was Tom Re chairman and CEO of Connected Nation presenting the award to Michael, who did not know he was receiving the honor. His classmates didn't hold back, giving him a standing ovation. I had the opportunity to sit down with Michael shortly after he received the Student Broadband Hero Award to discuss his work to help others, what inspired him and what he plans next. Tell me a little bit about where we are at the school.Michael Schmalz (02:36):

Um, right now we are in the Livingston Gallery in the CKC, and this is Altamont Theater, and also a place where we highlight student artwork. Um, and yeah, this is where we hold all the school plays. Any speakers that come mm-hmm <affirmative>. And yeah.Jessica Denson (02:57):

So earlier when we were talking, you said that you had temporarily gone to a different school after coming here and then came back here. Why is Altamont important to you?Michael Schmalz (03:07):

I think Altamont is important to me because it gave me opportunities that I felt no other school could. I don't feel that any other school promotes community engagement and active leadership like Altamont does. The Myre Center is something that I don't think can be replaced by anything in any other school because Ms still, and all the volunteers and all the other resources that I found through the Myre Center, I feel were unparalleled in helping me be inspired to lead in my community and pick a problem that I was passionate about and try to affect it in any way that I could.Jessica Denson (03:50):

Is is that center, is that the leadership center?Michael Schmalz (03:53):

Yes. My re Ethical Leadership Center.Jessica Denson (03:54):

So, so Beth was telling me that most Beth, miss Steel, sorry, she was telling me that, um, most of the students take three or four years for that mm-hmm <affirmative>. But you've done a lot in just a year, year and a half's time.Michael Schmalz (04:06):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>.Jessica Denson (04:06):

Why is that? Is it just that you're following your passion or, or what, why do you think that you're a little different with that?Michael Schmalz (04:12):

Um, honestly it's because I didn't think that I could start my own project myself, but it was actually through seeing another classmate of mine. His name is Alexander, and he had a project where he helped send gifts to Ukrainian children, um, and just helped send a bunch of different resources to them. And seeing him do that and pick something that he was passionate about because he's also Polish. So it was personal to him. Seeing him do that helped me realize that I have just as much power and responsibility to do the same. So I joined it a little bit later than most because I had sort of, I guess a late revelation almost. Um, but yeah, I think just seeing other classmates of mine was really the, the galvanizing action that made me join.Jessica Denson (05:07):

Um, you mentioned personal, something that was personal to him. Is this personal to you to work with seniors?Michael Schmalz (05:13):

Yes. I would say that this, the digital divide is personal to me because for me, it deals with my, my grandmother mama and how I know that she used to struggle using, using her phone. And I think the most vivid memory that I have is just my mom calling her on the phone and trying to walk her how to do something on her phone, like taking a photo or doing FaceTime and just her like going through the steps again and again and again. And just hearing that from my room, um, I think seeing her struggle with technology helped me realize that there are a number of senior citizens in the US and internationally that struggle with technology simply because they didn't grow up using it. And so they need more attention and more focused help to become knowledgeable about the internet and devices.Jessica Denson (06:12):

And you recently lost your grandmother, so that has to be very, um, it has to feel good to have some of those memories both digital and in your mind, right?Michael Schmalz (06:23):

Yeah, I think, I think she would be very proud of me and that what I've done and because a lot of it, it is not only just because I saw her struggle, but it's because she's probably one of the most, like, one of the biggest examples of leadership for me because whenever we used to go visit her in Knoxville, a lot of times we would go to a soup kitchen. We, we would do something with her church that she goes to. Um, and I think she was just relentless in her community engagement and that's something that I wanted to embody myself. And yeah, that's something that I definitely tried to tell her before she passed away and now I hope that she's like looking down on me and she's just proud of me.Jessica Denson (07:15):

You're getting to me <laugh>. Um, she, how important is it, do you think, in your point of view for there to be some of that cross generational, you know, youth working with seniors mm-hmm <affirmative>. Seniors, seeing that youth can help? How important is that?Michael Schmalz (07:36):

Honestly, I can't stress the importance of the relationship more. One of the, one of the things that the senior attendees told me was that she was so happy that there were high school volunteers because a lot of young people in this generation and our age don't really value social connection as much anymore because we've grown up with technology and stuff. So it's easy to just text someone, call them, et cetera, and we don't value the face-to-face connection as much. Um, so, and I remember she told me that a lot of times she can't, she doesn't feel like she can connect even with like her grandchildren that come to visit her. So being able to have these high school volunteers come and talk with them and really value the conversation and listen to their problems and their digital goals was incredibly important for her. Um, and so just hearing that firsthand perspective helped me value that relationship even more. And it also made me adapt my approach to the workshops because I didn't just want to sit at the top, have a presentation going and just teach it in a very, um, in a way that wasn't helping me connect anybody. I wanted to sit one-on-one with each person that came and help listen to their problems, what they were struggling with, and adapt my approach to their unique digital goals. So, yeah.Jessica Denson (09:03):

Um, how surprised were you to get this student Broadband Hero award? It's the first time we've ever given that in our 25 years as a non-profit.Michael Schmalz (09:13):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. We'veJessica Denson (09:13):

Given similar awards to governors, lieutenant governors, some pretty high up officials. Were you surprised? And how did it make you feel?Michael Schmalz (09:23):

Um, I was definitely surprised, to say the least. I had no idea what was gonna happen. I mean, like, I had a little hint maybe from my mom that something was up, but I didn't know it was going to be like, to this extent. I didn't know that there was gonna be a whole assembly for me. So yeah, that was definitely surprising. Um, but I think it, it also made me realize how important the work that I'm doing is, and it makes me even more happy that a student is going to be continuing on my project because there's a bunch of avenues that I didn't affect. Like I didn't consider local schools near me in leaning workshops, um, for young children. Um, and so I hope that he's able to have a similar impact and a similar effect.Jessica Denson (10:15):

So just like your friend influenced you, you're, you're hopeful to influence others to to, to continue,Michael Schmalz (10:22):

Right? Yes.Jessica Denson (10:24):

Uh, talk about some of the things you've done. 'cause part of the reason that you were given this award is because you didn't just stop there.Michael Schmalz (10:30):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>.Jessica Denson (10:30):

You are doing more with digital community. So talk about that organization that you are working in started, uh, justMichael Schmalz (10:37):

Yeah.Jessica Denson (10:37):

From the ground up.Michael Schmalz (10:38):

So immediately when I heard that you can earn stipends from TT Tech, I knew that I needed to do something with the money other than just reinvesting it into my project. And so I started an organization called Digital Harmonies, um, in which I wanted to help low income individuals gain access to the internet and devices that they didn't have. And so I used, I used all the stipends that I earned, um, along with some money that I fundraised personally through Altamont. Um, and I used these funds to establish a computer lab at Churchill Reconciler, which is a local church in Birmingham and downtown Birmingham. And it's both a church and a community center for unhoused and low income individuals. And the computer lab is important for these people because it can help them take online classes and even apply for jobs online. And I think that's a resource that they wouldn't have. Like they couldn't just go into a library and be able to do that. This is something that has been given hands on to them and maybe can help them find a job and regain their livelihood. Um, so yeah, I think I knew that I couldn't just use the funds for myself or give 'em to my team members. I knew that there was a much better way to reinvest them into my community.Jessica Denson (12:13):

That's amazing. In digital harmonies. I'm sorry. Yeah, I think you misspoke. Um, what about the Retirement Center? Talk about the work you did at the Retirement Center.Michael Schmalz (12:21):

Yeah.Jessica Denson (12:21):

What led you to that space?Michael Schmalz (12:24):

Well, I think what led me to the space is because my mom goes there, um, um, some weeks to serve communion to some of the attendees there. Um, and so that was sort of my connection with the Kirkwood Retirement Home. Um, but I talked with the coordinator there, Claudia, and it seemed like a lot of people there struggle specifically with cybersecurity scams. And I've lost like thousands of dollars to those scams. Um, and I led my first workshop there, actually, there was about eight people there, and that was, it was really successful, so it really gave me hope for the rest of the workshops. Um, and I had a number of senior citizens that came to multiple workshops. Like I had a man named Mr. Jim that came to Multiple, and he was a Vietnam War pilot, and through me sharing tips like bookmarking, um, in different browser strategies, and I helped him set up an email while I was doing all that he would share with me slide photos from his time as a Vietnam War pilot. So I think it was special for me to form those relationships with the Kirkwood visitors. Um, and yeah.Jessica Denson (13:47):

Um, talk about when you first heard about things Teach Tech, how did you learn about it and, um, what got you interested?Michael Schmalz (13:55):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So when I joined the Miry Center, I knew that I wanted to do something regarding the Digital Divide, um, specifically because I live in Alabama and it's such a big problem in rural states like Alabama. Um, and so the first thing that I did is I looked up different initiatives that help bridge the Digital divide. Um, and one of the first ones that came up was Connected Nation. And after scrolling on their website for probably five minutes, uh, I found the Teen Stage Tech organization. And I mean, obviously I'm a teen, so I felt like it was a perfect match, and I just, I reached out and heard back within the same day. And I mean, after I had the Zoom meeting with, with Jessica, um, I felt like it was going to work perfectly. So yeah, I think it was definitely not a coincidence that it was one of the first search results for me.Jessica Denson (14:49):

Um, how important it's funded by at t through donation through at t. How important is it, or what message would you give corporate sponsors for these kinds of programs that they need to helpMichael Schmalz (15:02):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, I think theMichael Schmalz (15:06):

Message that I would give is, I think one important population to target that I try to affect is people that are trying to get back into the job market, but maybe older or low income, because I think definitely senior citizens are definitely target of cybersecurity scams, but low income individuals that are trying to get back into the job market are a more overlooked group. And so I think it's important to hold workshops at places like Goodwill Career Center, um, in any similar community centers, because I think they're definitely someone that needs to be focused on more. Um, and yeah.Jessica Denson (15:58):

Um, now you said you had some list of things that you wanted to talk about. Do you want to pull that out? Did you bring it with you?Michael Schmalz (16:05):

It might be on my phone. MaybeJessica Denson (16:08):

You can look,Michael Schmalz (16:11):

I don't know. I didn't really have time to pull anything up.Jessica Denson (16:15):

Okay. That's all right. We, I have a few more questions. I just wanted to give you a chance, 'cause you, we had talked about that. Now if we're walking around at the retirement center or the church and you think of something, just let me know and we can pop the mic back on you and we can, we can talk about it. Okay. I may even just have you talk, engage with one of themMichael Schmalz (16:32):

There. Yeah.Jessica Denson (16:32):

Um, so what do you hope, um, comes of this work that you're doing, uh, and what do you got ahead for your future?Michael Schmalz (16:41):

Um, the number one thing that I want people to take from it is to realize that like for a lot of people, we don't even know like what the digital divide is because like everyone around me uses computers daily, has a personal phone. We don't really know how it is to not know how to navigate the internet and use those devices. It's like second nature to us. But like I said in there, it's important to prioritize inclusion as we move forward to an age that's increasingly dependent on devices and technology. So it's important for people to remember those that don't know how to use the internet and don't know how to use those devices. Um, so that's definitely what I, people, what I want people to take from it, and to also realize that it's not a problem that maybe you think is like international or somewhere not near you. Because like, even in a place like Birmingham, there's senior citizens, there's low income people that don't know how to use the internet. And especially when you move out of Birmingham into rural, there's even more people that don't even have access to broadband services simply because it's just not offered or it's offered at a much heightened price. So yeah, I want people to just really gain awareness about the problem. I think,Jessica Denson (18:04):

You know, more than a lot of people I've talked to and, um, some of this interviews I've done, um, so I'm really impressed, um, uh, during all of this. I did a couple interviews before mm-hmm <affirmative>. They knew that you were getting the award and, um, when I asked them, are you surprised Michael's getting this? It was to a a person? No, they're not surprised. They, that you're, you're quietly doing really great work. Um, but they also said that you, it's not what, why you do it. Mm-hmmMichael Schmalz (18:35):

<affirmative>.Jessica Denson (18:36):

How does it feel to get the accolade? But is that, is that really what's motivating?Michael Schmalz (18:41):

Um, I mean, yeah, obviously it does, it does feel really good. I had no idea it was gonna happen. So it's awesome to be able to have that honor. But I think whether I would've gotten an honor or not, I would've been happy and proud of my work no matter what. And I would've wanted it to continue on through Altamont. And I also am going to take digital harmonies with me to whatever university I go to and try to integrate it into that community. So I think no matter what, it would've stuck with me. That'sJessica Denson (19:16):

Awesome. So in addition to what you're doing with this, where do you see yourself in five to 10 years? What are, what are your big plans?Michael Schmalz (19:23):

Um, wellJessica Denson (19:26):

I know everybody's asking you that. 'cause you're a senior, right?Michael Schmalz (19:28):

Yeah, yeah. <laugh>. Um, well for right now I think I'm going to be attending Johns Hopkins in the fall and I want to pursue a computer science degree, um, because yeah, computer science is always, it is something that I've been interested in ever since I started high school at Altamont. And that's again, part of the reason that I wanted to do something with Digital Divide. Um, but, so yeah, I want to pursue a computer science degree with a minor in archeology possibly, um, because that's been another big interest of mine and I want to examine the field of digital archeology. Um, but other than that, like I said before, I want to be able to carry forward digital harmonies into Johns Hopkins, um, and be able to go to different senior centers around Baltimore or community centers around Baltimore, um, and continue teaching the workshops because I know there's a need wherever I go.Jessica Denson (20:31):

I also talked with leaders from Michael's school as well as representatives from the retirement center and the church where he provided funds for the computer lab, looked for those stories in the coming weeks. As for the teens, teach Tech powered by at and t program that got Michael Start, the program is always accepting new participants. Connect Nation provides class materials, startup funds, and ongoing mentor support. And as Michael mentioned, teens can earn financial incentives from taking part. To learn how to start a team, head to connected nation.org/teens, teach Tech. I'm Jessica Denson. Thanks for listening to Connected Nation. If you like our show and wanna know more about us, head to connected nation.org or look for the latest episodes on iTunes, iHeartRadio, Google Podcast, Pandora, or Spotify.

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