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A prominent position

Samantha VanPool, the student vice president of Prominent Youth, addressed a group during the meeting Jan. 10 at the Southeast Innovation Center in Cape Girardeau. (Kit Doyle)

It's not free money, but it beats mowing lawns. And you can be your own boss -- maybe even someone else's.

Prominent Youth of Southeast Missouri has begun taking applications for teens who want a different work experience. The not-for-profit organization formed in Kansas City, Mo., and has grown to three satellite offices this year. The Cape Girardeau branch opened in December and had its first meeting Jan. 10.

"It's going to be exciting," said Chris McMillan, 17.

He went to the meeting last week and has been in the office almost every day turning in various parts of his application.

The organization is accepting applications both online and in person from anyone 16 to 22 years old. The process involves an application, essay and references as well as two interviews. Any 16-year-old who gets hired into the program has a few restrictions, but for the most part, they're a part of the group.

Students can start their own business -- McMillan has a few ideas for business plans -- or they can grow an already established Prominent Youth business like Ahha, which sells designer handbags and perfume at wholesale prices, or Caught on Tape, a video production company.

"There are a lot of kids my age with big ideas, big plans," said Stephanie Bird, 16. She said the teens in Southeast Missouri have a lot of potential "and they're not fulfilling it at a burger place."

Bird was on her way home to change into nicer clothes to go apply at Prominent Youth. She said she's interested in photography and magazine editing. She already has a job, is in the color guard at Central High School and does videography for her church on the weekends.

"I will make time for something like this," Bird said.

McMillan said his father is starting a business and lately he has been hearing about the process that goes with the endeavor.

"It just kind of piqued my interest," he said. "When I heard people are going to be letting us do that, I wanted to join."

To get the program off the ground Sally Suchman, the regional manager at Prominent Youth, wants about six people.

"I think initially we want to set a good base of students," she said.

In the future Suchman said the program can expand to include more people. Those hired are required to put in 10 hours a week, but they are flexible. Prominent Youth pays $8.50. You can apply online or by calling Suchman at 579-0152.

To apply

• www.prominentyouth.com
• Contact Sally Suchman at 579-0152 or ssuchman@prominentyouth.com
• Go to the Prominent Youth offices in room 302 of the Southeast Innovation Center

charris@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246

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Teens for jeans

Here's a good reason to clean out your closet and buy some new jeans: Do Something -- a not-for-profit organization that works to get teens involved in volunteering -- has teamed up with Aeropostale stores in its Teens for Jeans campaign.

Between Jan. 22 and Feb. 10 you can get 20 percent off new jeans when you donate yesterday's gently worn jeans of any brand. The companies aim to collect 100,000 pairs.

They'll take your jeans and donate them to teen charity or homeless shelter. Do Something claims that 1 in 3 homeless people in America are under the age of 18. They've enlisted the help of Rachel Bilson from "The O.C." and Hayden Christensen to film a public service announcement and be the shining faces for the Teens for Jeans cause.

-- Southeast Missourian

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Check it

Earlier this week Apple iGod Steve Jobs introduced the newest technology for you Applonians out there. Among the new stuff was the new laptop MacBook Air, a GPS feature for the iPhone and some fun new or just revamped widgets. Here are a few:

WORLDview widget: An interactive world map

Sports Fan widget: Live sports scores and standings -- baseball, basketball, football, and hockey.

Turkey or not: A widget that gives you movies from turkeyornot.com. You can rate them either 'turkey' or 'not' and also see the overall rating.

Eyes 2: Homer is watching you: Have Mr. H. J. Simpson watch your every (mouse-)move on the Dashboard. It takes that Mona Lisa thing to the next level ... creepy.

FuguBowl: Bowl with simple mouse control on a 3D bowling lane hovering over a watery expanse. Uses the Unity web player.

-- Southeast Missourian

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neXt up

FRIDAY

NEW MOVIES

• "Cloverfield": Rated PG-13, 1 hr 24 min, Cape West Cine
• "27 Dresses": Rated PG, 1 hr 47 min, Cape West Cine
• "Mad Money", Rated PG-13, 1 hr 44 min, Town Plaza Cinema

SATURDAY

• Notre Dame Girls Shootout: Notre Dame Regional High School, 12 to 6 p.m.
• Contra dance: Christ Episcopal Church, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
• Faculty Recital featuring Paul Thompson: Shuck Music Recital Hall, River Campus, 7:30 p.m.

NEXT WEEK

GAMES

• "Pirates of the Burning Sea," PC
• "Burnout Paradise," X360, PS3

DVDs

• "The Game Plan," PG, Tuesday
• "Confessions of a Superhero," R, Tuesday

CDs

• Natasha Bedingfield, "N.B."

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Kate Peel

Staci Floyd

Who's neXt

SCHOLARSHIPS

James Simmons

Donielle Howell

• Kate Peel of Cape Gir-ardeau and Lyndsay McNeely of Jackson have been awarded a Regents' Scholarship and a Missouri Assessment Program Scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2008-2009 school year. Lance Dannenmueller of Oran, Mo., has been awarded a President's Scholarship, a Missouri Leadership Award, a Missouri Assessment Program Scholarship and a Boy's State Scholarship. Katherine Reischman, of Chaffee, Mo., has been awarded a President's Scholarship, a Missouri Leadership Award, and a Missouri Assessment Program Scholarship. Staci Floyd of Millersville has been awarded a Regents' Scholarship.
• Jill Frasher of Perryville High School won a scholarship this school year from the Southeast Missouri Black and Gold chapter of the University of Missouri Alumni Association. The deadline for scholarship applications for next school year is Feb. 1, and the applications can be found at www.mizzou.edu under scholarships and programs.

HONORS

Andrew Buchheit

• Donielle Howell and James Simmons, seniors at Scott City High School, were awarded the Wendy's High School Heisman Award for their academics, athletic ability and community service.
• James Holloway won the Trinity Lutheran School Geography Bee on Jan. 16.
• Angela Laxton of Scott City made the dean's list for the fall 2007 semester at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. She is the daughter of William and Sharon Laxton.
• Jennifer Ellison of Advance, Mo., made the dean's list for the fall 2007 semester at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill.

GRADUATIONS

• Andrew Buchheit received his doctorate in ceramic engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla on Dec. 15. He is a 1999 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School and is the son of Allen and Jeanette Buchheit of Cape Girardeau.
• Desera Nations and Keisha Panagos of Jackson earned master of education degrees in December from William Woods University.

SCHOOL NEWS

• Journalism teachers can apply for an expenses-paid training institute this summer, to be held at five universities throughout the country. The Reynolds High School Journalism Institute is sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. See hsj.org for more information.
• Saxony Lutheran High School will hold an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 10. Call 204-7555 for more information.
• Perryville Elementary will hold will hold a TechKnowledge Day from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 29 to show the integration of technology into the classroom.
• Trinity Lutheran School will hold an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 5 for those interested in the pre-K or kindergarten program. Enrollment for next year begins Feb. 1. Call 334-1068 for more information. The school will hold a dinner auction Feb. 23 at the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland.
• The Oak Ridge School District received a $5,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities to purchase literacy resources.
• The Shawnee Community College Illinois Small Business Development Center will offer 12 business workshops throughout the spring. Call 618-634-3254 to register for a free workshop and for dates and locations.
• Shawnee Community College Adult Education is offering a free fast-track GED preparation course from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for six weeks beginning Jan. 28. Call 618-634-3222 to register.
• Charter Communications is offering 10 $500 college scholarships to Missouri and Illinois seniors. Applications and guidelines are available at local Charter offices. The application deadline is March 14.

-- From staff reports

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