By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

Jerry Hamburg, Elder High School tech director, works with Tymika Latimer, 11, (sitting) of downtown, and Cartarra Hunter, 12, of North Fairmount this week as part of Tech-Reach. (Craig Ruttle photo)

PRICE HILL - Until five days ago, 12-year-old Jasmine Irby had never seen the inside of a computer.

But today the Hays Elementary School seventh-grader has no qualms about opening the back of a computer to adjust cables or replace components.

That's because she spent this past week building her own computer through Tech-Reach, a technology outreach program sponsored by Elder and Seton high schools.

"I was a little nervous when we first started," Jasmine said. "I thought I was going to mess up. But not any more. I know what I have to do."

ABOUT TECH-REACH

The Tech-Reach program is a partnership between Elder and Seton high schools geared to providing low-cost computer instruction to the residents of Price Hill. Classes are held after school for students and evenings for adults in the school's year-old Schaeper Center. Cost is $10 per hour of instruction with scholarships available for low-income residents. Two adult classes will begin next month: Internet for Beginners, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-18, $60. Intro to Windows, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10-19, $60. Information: 921-3744, ext. 3624, or Web site

Jasmine was one of six Hays students who took home computers they had built after spending one week each of the last four months learning about computers and Microsoft's XP operating system and Office software.

Students were chosen for the program based on their interest, academics and maturity, said Christina Singleton, who works with Hays students through Project Connect, a local agency that works to keep students in school.

The program concluded Thursday at Elder's Schaeper Center, the school's new technology center, when the students installed their modems, plugged in keyboards and mice and loaded the last of the software.

"I thought it was going to be hard," said Tymika Latimer, 11. "It was easy."

Carlos Conner said he only got mad once: when he turned on his computer and nothing happened three straight times.

But after looking into the interior of another student's computer, Carlos realized he had to switch a few cables.

"I love it," said Carlos, 11. "I can help my uncle fix his computer."

Elder spokesman Sean Kelley said one of the goals was to help students become familiar with the innards of computers.

"Then you're not intimidated by them," Kelley said.

Fourteen-year-old Shawna Byrd took something else from the class - confidence in herself.

"I was nervous I was going to mess up," Shawna said. "I learned that I could do something like this. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.''

E-mail suek@infionline.net