The University's College of Agriculture is conducting a statewide search for minority high school students to participate in a summer apprenticeship program.

Six high school juniors will be chosen for a paid apprenticeship by the college for the Minority Student Apprenticeships in Agriculture program.

"The six-week program is directed to minority high school students with a science and agriculture background," said William Henson, director of minority student affairs for the college. "The program is designed for the best qualified student."

The goal of the program, which is in its second year, is to "introduce the student to apprenticeships in agriculture and hopefully recruit them as future Penn State students," Henson said.

The apprenticeships will run from late June until the first week of August, he added.

The program offers apprenticeships in poultry science, dairy breeding, food science, agricultural engineering, plant pathology and wildlife science, he said, noting that every attempt is made to match students to fields of their choice.

The participants conduct scientific research in both the laboratories and in field sites under the guidance of University faculty mentors and graduate students, earning a stipend of $1,250, he said. The students also receive college preparatory counseling and experience college dormitory life, he added.

Cherice Parker (freshman-agricultural economics and rural sociology), who participated in the program last summer, specializing in wildlife science, called the program informative.

"It definitely made me more focused with my career goals," she said. "It made me question how applicable skills were needed for the job force. It made me question how I would handle college life."

"It does prepare you. I left the summer with a lot more understanding," Parker said. "I think more importantly, it's the independence the program gives you." It is an opportunity for students to learn something different, she said, adding, "If you have an interest in agriculture, you would be interested."

The Minority Apprenticeship program, now in its second year, is currently petitioning the University's Equal Oppurtunity Planning Committee for full funding of the summer program. Henson said if the program were to receive full funding, the number of participants would increase to eight students. The minorities program now receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, central university funds and college funds.

Last year, 60 students in the state applied to participate, Henson said, noting that he expects similar response this year. "We have a couple of students who applied in the tenth grade who will be applying again this year," he said.

The minority recruitment program has resulted in applications for admission from four of last year's six participants, Henson said, adding that he is confident the success will continue this year. "Some of the students who applied and were not accepted for apprenticeship have applied for admission for Fall 1989," he said.