PEA RIDGE — Their reasons are as varied as they are - 11 young people were selected in a random drawing from the nearly 60 young people from northeast Benton County and southwest Missouri who applied for positions in the Youth Conservation Corps working at the Pea Ridge National Military Park this summer. Most of the work was outside - rebuilding fences, cutting weeds, yard and maintenance work. There were learning opportunities as well. All were give an intepretive tour of the park.

Those students recently toured The Times office in Pea Ridge, learning about newspapers.

Students include:

◊Chris Warren, 18, Hiwassee, graduated Caledonia, Miss., High School, 2011. “I wanted to get work experience and get better acquainted with area since I’m going to U of A, There are a lot more opportunities here than Oxford and I get in-state tuition since dad’s home address is Clarksville.”

◊Luke Johnson, 16,Garfield, a junior at Pea Ridge High School. “I like it a lot. I have fun every day swinging a sledge hammer and setting some fence posts.”

◊Derick Wright, 16, Washburn, Mo., a sophomore at Southwest High School. “I worked previously with YCC,” he said.

In his second year, he is now a work leader, which means he earns extra money and is the “go-to guy” when their supervisor is not around.

◊Malon McIntire, 15, Seligman, Mo., a sophomore at Southwest High School. “This is my first job - it’s pretty sweet, but I haven’t got paid yet. When I do, it will be nice.” He said he’s saving his monty for a car or possibly some clothes since school will start soon.

◊Tayler Dekeno, 16, Pea Ridge, a junior, homeschool. “It’s a job. It gets money. I worked with my dad selling firewood. This makes more money than firewood.”

◊Shelby Munday, 15, Seligman, a sophomore at Southwest High School. “I like meeting new people.

I really don’t like how hot it is,” she said, smiling wryly.

◊ Paige Lynxwiler, 18, Cassville, Mo., graduate of Cassville High School.

“I like being outside, but not being out in the heat though. I’m getting ready for band,” she said, adding that working in the heat will prepare her for band camp. She plans the mellophone - marching French horn - and plans to attend Missouri State in Springfield.

◊Cheyenne Pollreisz, 18, Cassville, Mo., High School graduate. “I’m attending Truman State as music education major, playing the trumpet. I’ll be attending more choir camps. I really enjoy Civil War history. This is a good way to learn a little bit more.”

◊Molly Sorrell, 15, Pea Ridge, sophomore at Pea Ridge High School. “My parents suggested it and I applied. It’s a good feelignof accomplishment because it’s hard work.”

◊Ashley McGee, 16, Jane, Mo., a junior at McDonald County, Mo., High School. She said she applied for the job “for money.” Her only job previousy had been babysitting. “It’s harder than babysitting.”

Jamie Stover is theirYCC supervisor. A seasonal PRNMP employee, he is a farmer who lives at Wayne, Mo. “I just like to interact with them.”

Stover said he graduated from high school in 2008 and has worked at the military park ever since.

Shelby Munday jokingly said of Stover: “H he likes to slave drive us.”

Curtis Tilghman, a fulltime PRNMP employee, is the YCC coordinator. He has worked at the park for 11 years.

“This is the biggest group that we’ve had,” Tilghman said, adding that YCC has been operating at PRNMP for seven or eight years.

Sports, Pages 9 on 08/10/2011