Say ‘YES’ to education

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Areca T. Bell
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  With higher education cost on the rise, it may be difficult for high school students to find ways to pay for their schooling.

Aviano Youth Program offers the Youth Employment Skill program to help students save for college. The program, supported by the Air Force Aid Society, gives U.S. Air Force dependent youth the opputunity to gain job experience while receiving money for higher education.

"The program offers teenagers the opportunity to earn credit for every hour they work at any agency they might be interested in," said Mary Christian, 31st Force Support Squadron AYP assistant. "Teenagers can participate from freshman year to graduation."

For each volunteer hour, $6 is added to a student's scholarship. They must work a minimum of 25 hours up to 250 hours, which offers participants the chance to earn a scholarship up to $1,500.

"There are no required hours every week, so students can work around their schedule," explained Christian. "If you're interested, come by, we have a list of suggested agencies to volunteer with. Depending on what you're interested, in we can call organizations and see if they will work with us."

Volunteers are afforded the chance to work at agencies such as the 31st Medical Group and American Forces Network Aviano.

"I love having our intern around because she's very helpful and has learned so much during her time here," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Samantha Konieczny, AFN Aviano Radio NCO in charge. "She has become a part of the team. To help her in an area she is going to college for has been awesome."

To help youth explore their options, the community center will host a job fair Jan. 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. On-base organizations will be present to interview students who are interested in becoming members YES program members.

Christian encourages eligible students to contact the AYP or attend the upcoming job fair to take advantage of the program.

"I think in high school you're looking for ways to earn money towards college and this is one of those opportunities," she said. "It also gives you valuable work experience you can't get off-base while helping out the military community."

To become a YES program member, visit the AYP or call 632-7575.