Area teens participate in Air Force-wide movement

Published Jan. 19, 2012
Tinker Youth Center

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Teenagers from the Tinker Teen Council helped give the community a brighter future by conducting the project: College Knowledge. This project falls within the Air Force Teen Movement which was developed by the 2011 Air Force Youths of the Year and Air Force Teen Council.

Last year's AFTC Project, My Healthy Generation, was conducted at 32 installations, involved more than 31,000 youth and brought in more than 330 new teen members. During the 2011 Youth of the Year Ceremony and Teen Forum, 57 Air Force teen leaders worked to develop the top issues and projects to be conducted by teens around the Air Force. This project challenges Teen Councils to conduct large-scale events and programs supporting four pillars: college preparedness, career development, entrepreneurship and community service.

"As teenagers, we have a lot of concerns and viewpoints about issues facing our generation," said Ebony Sayles, Teen Council president and a six-year member of the Youth Programs. "This project gives us an opportunity to make a difference in something we truly care about. We will be successful if we can not only make a difference but also inspire others to as well."

Col. David Andersson, the director of Programs at Headquarters Air Force Services Agency said the 2012 Teen Council Project challenges Teen Councils to conduct a series of high-achieving programs and events to maximize impact on their communities.

Tinker Teen Council has organized tours to surrounding colleges, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, for Air Force teens enabling them to explore their post-secondary school options. Call the youth center at 734-7866 for dates and times of each tour or to sign up.

The council will also provide valuable resources on financial aid, the ACT, ACT Prep locations, scholarship search information, Youth Employment Skills Program and several college applications to surrounding colleges here at the youth center.

The youth center offers the Youth Employment Skills Program to high school-aged dependents of active duty Air Force members. The YES Program gives them the opportunity to "bank" money now towards their post-secondary education plan while volunteering at selected location on Tinker.

Youth Programs has played an integral role in the Tinker community, providing daily programs and services to hundreds young people. The Youth Center is open Mondays through Saturdays with programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. Hours of operation vary; call 734-7866 for details.