We have a few applicants for teen columnist in the West Seattle Herald, but we were hoping for more, even hoping we could have two or three to trade off weeks.

The first word we wrote on this said that teens had to be in one of our four high schools and a few people said that was not fair if a person lived in West Seattle. We agree, but we would like to have at least someone representing those schools write for this community newspaper.

So more applicants are encouraged, the more the better and we really do want teens who can express the good, the bad and even the ugly about being a teenager in West Seattle. You are our future, and we really do not listen very often to your voices. Here is the opportunity of a life time.

Here is how you apply. Write the editor an e-mail telling why you want to be a teen columnist. Be ready to write a spec column or even send it with your application. With the individual's permission later, we may even run some of this sample columns.

We want to have the selection process done by Jan. 1, with the first regular columns soon after.

- Jack Mayne

jackm@robinsonnews.com