From left, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden greet Wor-Wic student Alisha Jones at the White House.

“Start here, go anywhere” is a true-to-life experience for Alisha Jones of Hebron. Jones, who is taking the medical coding and billing course at Wor-Wic, recently spoke at the White House, where she was introduced by Vice President Kamala Harris. Jones herself then introduced President Joe Biden.

The topic was the Affordable Connectivity Program, which ensured that she had a stable internet connection. “Over the course of the last two years, we have all navigated unfamiliar territories. We faced much grief and heartache during this COVID-19 pandemic. We were all affected differently; however, for my family, one thing that remained consistent and reliable was our internet service,” Jones said in her national speech.

Jones had faced multiple challenges, including a job loss and a bout of COVID-19. As a mother of two boys, she was determined to do everything she could to succeed.

“All of my fall classes were online,” Jones said. “It was also important for my son. He had virtual appointments with doctors in Baltimore, and I relied on the internet for that.”

Jones said she heard during an enrichment class at Goodwill of Salisbury that Comcast was looking for someone who could speak about the importance of affordable internet connectivity, and she decided to step up.

“When you’re being provided with a service, it’s important to say if it’s helpful,” she said.

To her surprise, she was chosen as a speaker. After some Secret Service vetting, “I stood in the Oval Office with President Biden and Vice President Harris,” she marveled. “They were very down to earth and took the time to ask how my kids were doing.” Her kids are excelling: Jones said her oldest son just enrolled in a university.

Jones plans to not only complete her medical coding course but also to pursue an associate degree. She said Juley Harper, associate professor of English, has been a help. “She has pushed me to greatness and encouraged me every step of the way,” said Jones, who also plans to keep sharing the message of affordable connectivity.

“Many people are eligible who may not even realize it,” Jones said. “The threshold is higher than people think. It may not be free for everyone, but you can get a credit to reduce the cost, which is helpful nowadays.” The website GetInternet.gov has information about who qualifies. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from certain participating providers, with a small copay.