Firstly I’d like to start off by bringing a common stigma to light and demolishing the beast. A common stigma around Digital Leader groups is that it’s going to be full of

geeks and freaks that are amazing with computers and already know all about coding and websites, etc. While we definitely do idolise and use these people as a core part of our group they are not the only ingredients which create the awesomeness of Digital Leaders. I would definitely be an example of someone who people don’t commonly think would be part of Digital Leaders. So who am I?

I’m your average year 10 student. My name is Amber and while I may be a geek and a freak, I have no idea about coding. Yeah I can get my way around a computer and I can do some of the basics I certainly don’t have the skills required to create games or websites. Now, this far I have only listed what I cannot do, so what about what I can do? What do I offer to the table? Maybe from reading this you can have a pretty good guess, I’m the writer, I love writing, it’s my passion. My part in Digital Leaders is brainstorming and putting together the writing pieces.

As well as all the writing and thinking, I also do a lot of presenting. During my time in Digital Leaders I have presented at iPad nights, ran a twitter workshop from teachers and counsellors, taken part in one of the Digital Leaders youtube live videos and also helped a group of Japanese students, visiting our school, make an iMovie video.

I guess now you’d be wondering as to why I’ve taken part in Digital Leaders, so here’s just as few reasons:

1. I get to meet and work with an amazing, talented group of students from my school.
2. I’ve been able to work on my public speaking. This used to be a big, ‘Oh NOOO! WHYYY!’ sort of issue for me, but after throwing myself in the deep-end, I’m now able to confidently present to groups of people.
3. It’s a place to exercise my writing.
4. I love the internet and all it has to offer. I love using facebook and twitter. I have about 4 or 5 blog sites and I don’t know what I’d do without them. I see the internet not as an evil creation where everyone is trying to harm you; but as a magnificent tool that can be used to our advantage. It moves people one step closer to their dreams, connects the world and is somewhere to get yourself seen, somewhere to leave an eternal ‘footprint’. So, because of this one thing I’m extremely passionate about is teaching people how to positively use the internet and why it should not be seen in a negative way.

Well, that’s me, what I do and why I do it. Honestly Digital Leaders has been a great experience and I’m looking forward to all the surprises the next few years bring.

Amber Wurst

@BloodOnTheMoon_

Y10 student