Upgraded technology, along with a new stage curtain, are recent additions to St. John Neumann Regional School.

The augmentations were made possible thanks to a recent $25,000 donation courtesy of the Lafayette Council No. 2522 Knights of Columbus.In turn, the money was used to purchase 17 Google Chrome Books, as well as a new stage curtain, for the school's Palmerton campus.On Thursday, students at the Palmerton campus extended their appreciation to members of the Knights of Columbus.First, selected students showed how to use the Chrome Books, which computer teacher Donna DeCesaris said are used for Google Education Apps and are similar to Word, PowerPoint and Excel."It's what a lot of high schools are using; it allows them to work at school, save it and access it at home," DeCesaris said. "There's been a learning curve, but they're starting to use them well."Next, several students presented members of the Knights of Columbus with a thank-you poster and then shook their hands.Lastly, students from the school's Fine Arts Drama Society performed two Aesop's Fables, as well as one created by seventh-grader Sophia Bauer.The new stage curtain could be seen on the stage where the students performed, and replaced the stage curtain that was original to the building.The Rev. William T. Campion, priest of Sacred Heart Parish in Palmerton, said the Knights of Columbus is the largest men's organization in the Catholic Church.Members of the organization who were on hand were Frank Hager, Paul Papay and Earl Ott.Campion said the men have been involved with the group for a very long time, and wanted to help the school with the generous gift.