I’m currently consuming Twilight, the teen vampire romance series taking the country by storm, and I can’t get the song “Papa Don’t Preach” out of my head when pundits wax on about Bristol Palin. I definitely have teenagers on the brain, so I’ll try and do something constructive with that for local parents of teens.

Here are two opportunities for students to gain service hours, help their communities and learn valuable skills.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY LIBRARIES TEEN ADVISORY GROUP
Applications are being accepted through September 5 for teens interested in joining its Teen Advisory Group (TAG) to promote public libraries to the community. Members will write reviews, help plan library programs, develop new teen spaces, initiate podcasts and video productions and identify local teen artists or writers to feature. Students can earn up to 40 Student Service Learning Hours, work from home, work with small groups, and attend monthly meetings. Selected applicants will serve from September 2008 through May 2009 and must be Montgomery County teens age 14-18.

Teens may apply online or hard copy applications are available at Montgomery County public schools and libraries. They should be completed and mailed to Susan Levine at the Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910 Selected applicants will be interviewed the week of September 15. For more information, contact Susan Levine, 240-773-9420.

ELECTION DAY STUDENT AIDES
The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking students, grades six to twelve, to serve as Election Day student aides during the 2008 Presidential General Election. Students must attend mandatory training to serve on Election Day and, if applicable, will receive Student Service Learning credits. This program is available to all students within a public, private, independent, religious, or home-school setting located in Montgomery County. E-mail Future.Vote@montgomerycountymd.gov for an application. Students will be notified if selected to participate.