CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 05/11/22

Catoosa County 4-H’er selected to represent National Tech Changemakers

By Josie Smith
Jenna Dekich, a Catoosa County 4-H'er, smiles in front of a wood-paneled wall while wearing a green blazer
“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 … exactly the issue the Tech Changemakers program aims to solve,” said Jenna Dekich, the newest spokesperson for the National 4-H Tech Changemakers program.

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

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.

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 and regional storytelling while acting 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.

The Tech Changemakers program teaches young leaders about the impact of the digital divide between generations and provides 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 said.

Dekich cites her upbringing in rural Georgia as a major influence on her passion for the Tech Changemakers mission.

“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,” Dekich said.

Dekich was instrumental in the establishment of the local senior center’s internet literacy program, which provides internet access to seniors and instruction on how to use programs and services that can aid them in their everyday lives.

“Our participants constantly rave about Jenna’s kindness, passion and teaching ability,” said Catoosa County 4-H Agent Caleb Millican. “Jenna has been instrumental in helping us to transition from one grant to the next by using her previous Tech Changemakers experience to help train our newest members.” Her selection as a National Tech Changemakers 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, he added.

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 University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about how to get involved as a volunteer with Georgia 4-H, contact your local UGA Extension office or visit georgia4h.org.

Authors:
Josie Smith
Experts/Sources:
Katie Bowker
Caleb Millican
A Master Gardener with UGA Extension teaches a class at the GROWL Fulton County Demonstration and Teaching Garden. (Submitted photo) CAES News
Volunteers uplift statewide UGA Extension outreach programs 04/22/24 Sheri Dorn, Keri Gandy Hobbs
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension depends on thousands of volunteers who give generously to extend program impact and reach in support Extension missions. During Volunteer Appreciation Week April 21-28, UGA Extension celebrates the many volunteers who donate their time to facilitate 4-H, Master Gardener and Family and Consumer Sciences programming. Volunteers across Extension contributed over 324,200 hours in 2023, the equivalent of more than 155 full-time employees.
The 2022-2023 Georgia 4-H student board poses with green slime-covered Georgia 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith after the 2023 $4 for 4-H celebration. Biersmith has agreed to subject herself to the slime again this year if the $74,444 goal is reached. CAES News
Support Georgia 4-H with a $4 gift on April 4 04/03/24 Josie Smith
The Georgia 4-H Foundation is encouraging friendly competition between 4-H supporters in each county in Georgia to benefit positive youth development during the “$4 for 4-H” fundraiser on April 4. In what has become an annual tradition, each Georgia county asks local donors to make online donations of $4 or more that day, with the goal of receiving at least four donations per county. Counties that receive four or more donations will turn green on a Georgia map that will be updated throughout the day on social media April 4.
The First Flock was established at the Georgia Governor's Mansion in July 2021. CAES News
Inaugural First Flock retires to 4-H center as 15 new hens move to Governor’s Mansion 03/18/24 Josie Smith, Lily Thomas
Georgia’s inaugural First Flock is retiring to Fortson 4-H Center almost three years after they came to roost at the Governor’s Mansion in 2021. Six members of the original flock traded places with 15 new hens during a ceremonial swap on Feb. 1 at the First Flock’s custom coop on the eastern side of the 18-acre mansion grounds in Atlanta. The idea for the project was hatched in 2020 when Georgia first lady Marty Kemp expressed her desire to include agricultural education via residential hens at the mansion.
web Capitol Day Group Photo on Oglethorpe Stairs CAES News
4-H’ers see leadership in action during Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol 02/28/24 Josie Smith
The gold dome of the Georgia Capitol was complemented with shades of green on Feb. 14 as 4-H youth and adult leaders joined elected officials for the largest Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol on record. With nearly 700 in attendance, outstanding 4-H’ers from counties across the state gathered to engage with legislators, observe leadership in action and learn about the civic process.
gwinnett county extension CAES News
Metro Atlanta Extension office growing capacity to reach diverse audiences 02/21/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
As the population of Gwinnett County approaches the 1 million mark, with a highly diverse demographic profile, the county's University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office is preparing to serve its changing constituency effectively. Recently, the Gwinnett County Extension Program received a $250,000 budget increase from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners to increase staffing and expand community educational outreach and engagement to underrepresented groups around the county.
As drug overdoses linked to opioids continue to rise, rural communities in particular struggle to control the epidemic. CAES News
Extension project focuses on education, outreach to address opioid crisis 11/27/23 Cal Powell
As drug overdoses linked to opioids continue to rise, rural communities in particular struggle to control the epidemic. More than 75% of the nearly 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid, with higher rates of poverty and a lack of resources in rural areas being a significant factor in the alarming trend. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working with rural communities to address the issue, thanks in part to a three-year $350,000 Rural Health and Safety Education grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.