Teens drive to work to earn money, watch it disappear into gas tank

[jpak]

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=108303&ac=PHnws

Summer jobs used to be a way high school students saved for college. But with gas prices now topping $3 a gallon, teenagers say much of their summer earnings will disappear into the gas tanks of their cars.

"I got a job to help out with college, but now it's more just to survive the summer with the gas prices," said Cilla Knox, 19, a senior at Portland High School.

The average price of regular gasoline in Maine this week was $3.12 per gallon, according to AAA Northern New England. Just a month ago, it was $2.85 per gallon and a year ago it was $2.84. But this summer, prices could keep on going up.

Of course, the high cost affects all drivers. But Knox and other high school and college students -- who typically work in minimum-wage jobs and only part-time most of the year because they must juggle work with classes and homework -- say gas now takes a particularly large chunk out of their paychecks.

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[Donnachaidh]

1. That's a really hard hit for kids in Maine

They live in rural towns and cannot find work where they live. Many have to drive to the tourist areas on the coast (you know, where the Bush crime family lives) and work for minimum wage waiting on those bloated wealthy hogs who *summer* in the area. :sarcasm: