BY FLORENCE GILKESON

Senior Writer

Fifteen teens will have an opportunity to participate in a four-week internship with county government this summer.

The unpaid internships will offer participants community service hours to be applied toward their graduation and scholarship requirements, according to Eli Arroyo-Allen, Moore County public information officer.

The program, jointly sponsored by the county public information office and the Moore County 4-H program, will begin June 21 and end Aug. 2. Young people between the ages of 14 and 20 will work as interns in divisions of county government.

"We believe, by engaging young people in their county government today, we can produce a generation of leaders who are socially conscious and dedicated to public service," Arroyo-Allen said. "The selected interns will gain job and leadership skills and learn more about the inner workings of county government."

She said the program will also provide delivery of real-life services to Moore County residents.

Applicants must agree to participate in a minimum of six volunteer service hours a week and mandatory participation in program orientation on June 17. Participants are prohibited from serving in any division of county government where a family member works.

Applications must be submitted by the May 14 deadline and are available on the Moore County Web site, www.moore countync.gov. Those selected will be notified by June 1.

The sponsors recommend early applications because the program is limited to 15 participants.

Additional information is available by calling Arroyo-Allen or Mary Phillips at (910) 947-6363.

Contact Florence Gilkeson by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.