The Selma Times-Journal

Devin Pearson was the first one picked Tuesday. He wasn’t there to hear his name called.

Tysherica Milhouse had just arrived at City Hall, just in time to hear her name selected in the “Youth At Work” 2007 Summer Employment Program Lottery selection process.

There were 110 youth, ages 15 to 22, selected for this summer’s program. Val Jones, city of Selma human resources director, said each person will receive a letter notifying them of their selection, and interviews will be set.

“This will be my first job,” said Milhouse, a 15-year-old enrolled in the Selma Early College program. “It’ll be great to have a job. It’s a good opportunity because it gives younger kids a chance to have summer jobs. In most places you have to be 17 or 18 years old.”

The City of Selma received more than 300 applications. It is the sixth year the program has been in existence and cost more than $50,000 to produce.

Each participant will work 16 hours a week for six weeks at $5.25 an hour. The job lotto winners, once placed in roles, will work from June 11 to July 20.

It wasn’t “all good.” Two thirds of the applicants were not selected. Some were disappointed.

“In a way, I am,” said Erica Gore, 15. She will be entering her senior year at Selma High School.

“I was hoping to get a job so I could help with senior year expenses,” said Gore, who recently moved to Selma with her family from Hartford, Conn.

Others will find out about their selection in the lottery through the mail – like Terrance Jones. He was the 110th youth selected.