Middle Ridge Elementary School will receive $2,000 from Big Lots, after being voted one of 35 winners in the Lots2Give video contest.

Big Lots will present a check to Middle Ridge at 10 a.m. Friday at the Newton Plaza Big Lots location, 3111 Highway 278 NW.

Middle Ridge's video can be viewed at biglots.com/lots2give, and it shows several students, teachers and staff members holding signs all designed to spread the message that their schools need technology to better learn and teach.

"I need to engage."

"We expect to be able to create."

"I need to respond instantly."

While some of the signs that followed had the words of traditional teaching tools, like chalkboards and paper, others list active boards, laptops, response systems and touch screens. The video ends with these messages:

"I am a 21st Century learner."

"I need to be a 21st Century teacher."

"I need help."

"Bridge the gap with technology."

Middle Ridge plans to use the money for Netbooks and iPads to the school.

Other local winners were J.H. House Elementary School in Conyers and Annette Winn Elementary School in Lithia Springs.

Oak Hill and West Newton elementary schools entered the contest but were not selected.

Both Alcovy High School and Rocky Plains Elementary won $2,000 last year in the contest.