Observer S Eccentric | Sunday. Novembei 15,<strong>2007</strong> www.hometownlife.com BY ASHLEY TR0M8LEY TEEN JOURNALIST Money. It comes in many forms with many names — from bucks, cash, and dough to even the more bizarre like bread and cheddar. But no matter what you decide to call it, it all serves the same purpose: To buy things. But what role do teenagers play in the local economy I made it my mission to find out by asking two questions: What percentage of the store's customers were teenagers and what good deals, if any. were being offered It was a normal Monday night at <strong>Westland</strong> Shopping Center, the shops were full of the hustle and bustle of shoppers. It was here that the answers would be uncovered. My first stop was Hot Topic, a punk-rocker's paradise. After talking to the management, I found out that teens make up about 70 percent of the store's consumption. No further information was disclosed. asr.iey Iron ib lev Love music Could you spend hours roaming up and down aisles and aisles of CDs Often find songs stuck in your head If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you're not alone. According to an employee for FYE, 80 percent of the merchandise is purchased by high school kids. The employee went on to point me toward the bargain bin, which held a pretty eclectic mix of music, some selling for SIO or less. 1 know what you're thinking: What kind of teenager would intentionally shop for designer tennis shoes Here's your answer: 50 percent. Yes, that's right, exactly half of Foot Locker's shoeshoppers are teens. The wonderfully helpful Richelle spoke of really good deals, such as certain brands of shoes going CASINO two for $79. Perhaps video games are more your thing... maybe, then, Game Stop is the place for you. There are almost always specials going on used Game Cube, PlayStation, X- Box, and computer games. Employee Justin Dorosh shared with me some surprising news: Teens consumption at <strong>Westland</strong>'s Game Stop is 50 percent or less. You'd think it'd be quite a bit higher, due to how much kids today depend on electricity. But I'd be willing to bet that with the Oct. 28 release of Guitar Hero 3: Rock Legends, Game Stop will be seeing much bigger numbers in customers. During this investigation, I learned something: Teenagers are pretty savvy shoppers. And no matter what we decide to do with our- moola, greenbacks, or macaroni, it impacts the economy in more ways than we think. Ashley J. Trombley is a student at Garden City High School, 6. BYCAtTLtN BURNS TEEN JOURNALIST The Wayne-<strong>Westland</strong> Junior Miss Scholarship Program's fund-raising drive has begun. It started with the eighth annual Halloween Bowlathon. On Oct. 28, the 24 young women competing in the 41st nHH H Wayne- Hff^ E <strong>Westland</strong> B Junior Miss Wr A m -i t •KJ m nl ff •F Ulll burns B Program 1 went to L <strong>Westland</strong> f Bowl and bowled their hearts out. All of the young women worked hard prior to the event, lining up sponsors willing to support the scholarship program. All money raised goes right back to the young women. The goal for the event was to raise at. least $1,000, but the final total isn't in yet. At the bowl-athon, the girls each bowled two games and prizes were awarded to the young women who had the highest score, most strikes/spares and most open games. The winners were Teresa Sanford, Mallory Brosious and Caitlin Burns, respectively. All participants received a bag of Halloween treats. In addition to the bowlathon, the group is sponsoring "Dining To Donate" events at three <strong>Westland</strong> restaurants. The first two Miss program Contestants in the annua! Wayne-<strong>Westland</strong> Junior Miss Program sport Halloween costumes during a recent Halloween fund-raiser. took place Monday, Nov. 5, at Buffalo Wild Wings and Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Max and Erma's. The next one will be Tuesday, Nov, 13, at Applebee's on Warren at Central City Parkway. On these days, supporters of the Junior Miss program take a flier to the restaurant and 20 percent of their total bill is donated to the scholarship program. It is an easy way for everyone to support the program and enjoy a good meal out. These fund-raising opportunities would not be possible without the hard work of Carol Baker. Baker, mother of <strong>2007</strong> Junior Miss Kelsey Baker, is the new director for the Wayne-<strong>Westland</strong> Junior Miss Program. She has been involved with Junior Miss since 2003. She stepped up and took the reins after the former director Pat Hermatz retired and the program was in jeopardy of ending. Baker said she decided to take over because the "program was too good to watch it fold." People can support the hard work of all these women by attending the Junior Miss Scholarship Program and see who is named Wayne-<strong>Westland</strong> 'a 2008 Junior Miss. The pageant will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Wayne Memorial High School's Stockmeyer Auditorium on Glenwood east of Fourth Street, Wayne. Caitlin Burns Is a student at <strong>Westland</strong> John Glenn High School. Setween Levan and Newburgh Open 9;15-5 Mot.-Set. Closed Sunday WWat corner of Hunter, near Old Country Buffet (Span 9-7 Men.•• Sat. 9-15-5 Sunday V - - V. : V .5 Loavs for ! I , j 2 BGGS * or i i I0f1. MulTinack Ho Ho's 2 Boxes for *3.00 ! 1 FREEBAG j j Ay*"T a I \;~r ,-..-..•« 'f:i:.r-, i i of $10.00 OP more , J \ ^1 \ji__ .-,¾ --,,1-1 ji't y . •JC'.S ' • L. P T "_ CC'jpC r 3"!" pCSO'". i >.&'^E;-N:-.J=;'0-R.-".,.W..B...JL-JL..N'E :S S.. C E N T E R She's traveled ihc nurld. 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www.hometownlife.com COUNTY NEWS Observer S Eccentric | Sunday, <strong>November</strong> <strong>11</strong>,<strong>2007</strong>
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