Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
Jennifer Zimmerman sits at an over-sized, wooden desk surrounded by several black and white sketches of eyeballs.
"I'll probably be here until about 9 p.m.," she said.
Jennifer is in the beginning stages of making a cartoon from scratch. After she finishes the sketches, she will transfer them to a computer to complete the animation process.
Jennifer is not an animation artist or a media relations specialist, but rather a 14-year-old working toward her future.
"It's better to get a head start," the teenager explained.
She is one of seven student workers involved with the Youth Employment Skills scholarship program. The program is sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society.
"Our work focuses on leadership development and community service," Jennifer said.
In order to be eligible for the program, a student must have a parent sponsor who is an active-duty member of the Air Force. However, because of the wartime status, children of members of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve who are Title 10, military personnel that have been activated for the war, are also eligible.
"There are some scholarships out there that you just can't grab," said Aaron Funari. "This one is for Air Force kids only, so that's great for me."
Aaron and Jennifer are working on other projects as well. Recently they organized two dances at the Teen Youth Center.
"We booked the DJ and got refreshments for the dance and everything," Aaron said.
Aaron, who is 15 years old, attends John Paul Stevens High School, where he plays for the basketball team and participates in their ROTC program.
Like Aaron, all participants must be enrolled in high school, and have until high school graduation or until his parent retires or separates from the Air Force to complete the scholarship's requirements.
Jennifer attends Stacey High School where she runs for the cross-country team. She hopes to attend the University of Texas and continue her cross-country participation in college.
While the location of the high school attended by the participants does not matter, the location of the scholarship-related hours is crucial.
All hours going toward the scholarship must be performed on Lackland grounds, which also comprise KellyUSA, Lackland Training Annex, Security Hill and Wilford Hall Medical Center.
Because of the numerous locations on such a vast base, there are several jobs available depending on the qualifications of the individual applying for the scholarship.
Teen Center Director Thomas Lynds encourages applicants to list all skills and qualities when applying for a job with the Y.E.S. program.
"We hope to teach each child how to sell themselves and learn the value of marketability," Mr. Lynds said.
Participants earn $4 per hour during the program. Hours include training, preparation, as well as work time.
"If you have a chance to grab money you should do it," Aaron said.
Enrollment for the Y.E.S. program begins June 1 of every year and ends May 31. If a participant needs more than one year to complete the hours, he must enroll again the following year.
"A lot of students earn the 250 hours in one summer," Mr. Lynds said.
A student cannot reapply for the scholarship if he has already fulfilled the necessary requirements.
While Mr. Lynds is happy with the production of the youth who are involved, he would like to see the number of participants grow from seven to about 30.
"We hope to teach these kids how to also write and lay out a newsletter and maintain a Web site," Mr. Lynds said. "The idea is to give these kids skills that they will need to get a job in marketing."