Catoosa County 4-H’er Jenna Dekich has been selected to serve as a National Tech Changemakers spokesperson on behalf of Georgia 4-H. She will serve as one of nine youth leaders chosen from across the country to further the mission of the Tech Changemakers program. Dekich is a twelfth-grade student at Ringgold High School.

The 4-H Tech Changemakers program places youth at the forefront of increasing digital inclusion in their communities. Involved students act as technology liaisons through collaboration with corporate partners, local elected officials, nonprofits, educators, and businesses.

Young leaders, known as Tech Changemakers, learn about the impact of the digital divide between generations and work to provide adults in underserved populations with practical skills to master relevant technology. The initiative focuses on providing tools to broaden employment opportunities for these adults through expanded access to digital skills training.

Katie Bowker, Georgia 4-H Program Coordinator for Tech Changemakers, works with county programs across the state to facilitate their community efforts. “Dekich’s work as a national spokesperson will shed light on the efforts of our Georgia counties,” Bowker says.

As a face for the program, Dekich will provide leadership and media opportunities throughout the year. She will participate in speaking engagements, social media campaigns, regional storytelling, and act as a liaison with donors. She was recently selected to participate in an interview with RFD-TV and Local News 3 to share her story and promote 4-H Tech Changemakers.

Dekich cites her upbringing in rural Georgia as a major influence on her passion for the Tech Changemaker’s mission. Reflecting on growing up in Catoosa County, Dekich says, “Living in rural Georgia, internet access comes few and far between. I wanted to be a part of a program that helps aid in this problem… which is exactly [the issue] the Tech Changemakers program aims to solve. ”

Her work with the Catoosa County Senior Center was lauded by Catoosa County 4-H agent Caleb Millican. “Our participants constantly rave about Jenna’s kindness, passion, and teaching ability,” Millican says. Dekich was instrumental in the establishment of the senior center’s internet literacy program. The program allows seniors to access the internet and learn how to use programs and services that can aid them in their everyday lives. “Jenna has been instrumental in helping us to transition from one grant to the next by using her previous Tech Changemaker experience to help train our newest members,” Millican goes on to say. Her selection as a National Tech Changemaker spokesperson is a testament to the time and effort she is continuing to put forth to help both the local population and her community at large.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 225,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about how to get involved as a volunteer with Georgia 4-H, contact your local University of Georgia County Extension Office or visit www.georgia4h.org.