Courtesy photo Students working on the Mt. Graham summer work project learned a number of different areas such as science and law enforcement using modern trained police dogs like the one pictured above.

This past week, on August 6 2009, the Summer Youth program, sponsored by the University of Arizona, ended its nine week work program that employs students from San Carlos, Bylas and Safford to work at the Mt. Graham International Observatory.

The students do work construction jobs at both the foothills base camp and on top of Mt. Graham. Their supervisors are Estelle McIntosh of San Carlos and Mr. B.B. Andrews of Safford. The student workers have to be very committed since the ones in San Carlos have to get up at 4:00 a.m. to ride their work van into Safford.

This program has been in existence for a number of years, and has assisted many students by supplying good summer employment and learning.

In addition to working, the students had classes in various areas of law enforcement, science and even first aid. Most of the instructors in these subjects are University of Arizona employees.

Mr. John Ratje said that every year they have a good crew of both Apache and non-tribal students and this year was no different.

The students always find their summer work experience valuable and interesting. Being up on Mt. Graham nearly every day is inspiring with its great beauty and diverse ecology.

Some have worked more than one summer on the project and look forward to working for U of A again in the future.