Edwards Teen Center a hot spot to hang Published Dec. 1, 2010 By Diane Betzler Staff Writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- There's a place on base where "everybody knows your name." It's a place where "they're always glad you came." It's a place, if you're a teenager, you can call your own. It's the Edwards Teen Center - a teen's home away from home. At the Edwards Teen Center there is something for every teen, said Paul LaBella, Teen Center coordinator. It's a place where teens can go after school and hang out while they wait for their parents to get off work. But hanging with friends isn't the only pastime the center offers. There's a computer lab for high-tech enthusiasts, a Dance Revolution Extreme machine for those who enjoy dance or the exercise and activity the game offers. There's an air hockey table, a pool table, and a ping pong table to satisfy those looking for a little competitive fun. There's a chess club for those who like that challenge, and an area filled with wide-screen TVs and a myriad of video games. The TV area can also be used as a place to just sit, relax and enjoy a movie. "I've been coming here every day after school since eighth grade," said Josh Oakes, a Desert High sophomore. The 15-year-old said he enjoys the field trips the center often offers and enjoys just hanging with his friends after school. The center also offers a way for students to work on base and help defray some of the costs of college. "We have a Youth Employment Skills program that is available to teens interested in earning money for college," Mr. LaBella said. He explained that YES is a volunteer program for high school students seeking financial assistance for their college education. "When joining this program the teens can earn up to a $1,000 in grant money by working at an on-base location." Leo Banuelos, a senior at Desert High, is one teen doing just that. The 17-year-old hopes to be accepted to California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, where he plans on studying biomedical engineering. Mr. Banuelos has been working with YES and has a small sum accumulated to be used for future education costs. "I've been attending schools here on base since sixth grade and I come to the teen center every day," the high achiever said. Mr. Banuelos is also a member of the Keystone Club, which is a club for boys and girls that gets involved with community issues. He's the vice president and works with other club members committed to keeping young people off the streets. "We teach kids to be proactive in the community," Banuelos said. The dedicated teen also works at the Teen Center selling food and T-shirts to raise enough money to be able to travel to Orlando, Fla. to attend an upcoming three-day Keystone conference. "The conference is all about learning leadership skills," he said. When joining YES students can work in a variety of positions, depending what is available on base at the time. Their earnings are recorded and saved for future college expenses. Those positions are Non-Appropriated Fund, or NAF, jobs. "After graduating from high school, the student sends a tuition bill to the Air Force Aid Society, who in turn sends the money the student earned while in the program directly to the college," Mr. LaBella said. To be eligible for the YES program, the student must have at least one Air Force active-duty parent. This program is open to students in grades nine and above. There is also a job center located inside the Teen Center facility. "It lists job openings and has job applications available for the young job seekers," Mr. LaBella said. The job center also offers students tips on applying for a job and lists vacancies at Subway, Panda Express, the 95th Force Support Squadron and the Army and Air Force Exchange Services. Teens have to be 16 years or older to apply for most job listed at the Teen Job Center, with the exception of some summer hires. "The Teen Center is an official Boys and Girls club and so we do a lot of their activities," Mr. LaBella said. He said the Boys and Girls club keeps the Teen Center informed about upcoming events and fundraisers, which is how the center stays involved. The center also has a teen advisory group that gives staff members input on what kinds of programs the teens enjoy taking part in, what kinds of movies they like to watch, which video games they prefer and what kinds of music they like to listen to. They have a jukebox that was donated to the center by the Edwards Chiefs Group, and the Teen Center staff tries to keep the jukebox filled with teen favorites. "This is how the center has something to offer everyone," Mr. LaBella said. In addition to the jukebox, the Chiefs Group has donated about $14,000 worth of equipment to the center. "We have an arts program that deals with music and painting, a fitness and recreation program that teaches health and life skills that include sewing, cooking and gardening," Mr. LaBella said. The Teen Center also has a career and education program that engages guest speakers from different walks of life that come out and talk to the teens. "Our guest speakers are pilots, people from law enforcement, firefighters and educators," Mr. LaBella said. The educators talk to teens about preparing for college and how to write a resume. The Chess Club is headed by Matt Mahowald, who has been contracted to provide chess lessons at the center. Twenty-two lessons cost $70. Peggy Perkins, 16, is one of Mr. Mahowald's chess students. "I've been taking lessons since September and so far I've learned the ways pieces move and the point values," she said. "Your skill at chess is based on a lot of things," Mr. Mahowald tells his students. He says pattern recognition and how well a player can remember the different moves plays a big part in mastering the game. "The more chess you play the better you get," he encouraged his Monday afternoon class. Mr. Mahowald tells his students a big part of improving their skill level is learning from their mistakes. "Think with your head, not with your hands," he tells another student as he's about to make a move. To help oversee the daily activities, Mr. LaBella has two assistants, Troy Kelly and Marie Cameron. Center staff members also coordinate at least one community service activity each month. "I love working with the teens," Ms. Cameron said. Being accepted and trusted by the teenagers is her biggest reward she added. Mr. LaBella said there are about 200 teens registered at the Teen Center and said 65 of them are actively involved. The center is open from 3 to 6 p.m. on school days and from noon to 6 p.m. on days when there is no school, which include summer, fall, winter and spring breaks. When the Teen Center is closed, teens can gather at the main youth center located on Lathrop Drive. "Knowing my son is spending his after-school time here until I can pick him up is a huge comfort for me," said a parent who asked not to be identified. "I'm so glad I work on base and have the opportunity to have my child attend school and after school activities here," she said. During summer break the center offers Air Force-sponsored specialty camps. "We have a Space Camp that's held in Huntsville, Ala., and a Teen Aviation Camp that takes place at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.," Mr. LaBella said. He said the Teen Aviation Camp is a golden opportunity for teens considering an Air Force career. "They get to check out the academy," he said, but noted that at the same time, the academy also gets to check out the potential student. Teens interested in specialty camps are required to apply. Only those meeting certain criteria are accepted. Once accepted, the camps, which run about five days, are free, but parents are responsible for their children's airfare. "We're real proud of what we've accomplished here. We have a lot of kids involved, but I'd like to see a lot more teens get involved," Mr. LaBella said. "Working with teens is one of the funnest jobs in the world." Mr. LaBella considers it his responsibility to help motivate young people. Teens interested in becoming a member of the Teen Center can contact Mr. LaBella or a member of his staff at (661) 275-TEEN or (661) 275-8336. The fee is $90 for a school year. Those who visit the center occasionally can pay a $3 daily fee. The Teen Center is located in the Desert Mall.