Summer has the longest days and marks the hottest time of the year. It is a time when the majority of adolescents are on summer break. The summer is an important season for the social agenda of individuals and so many people look forward to this time, especially teenagers.

A mini interview was done on a sunny Thursday afternoon in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, with adolescents to find out their plans for the holiday, whether they included working or simply staying at home or going out with friends.

Majority of the teenagers we spoke with did not get a summer job and were hoping they could get one sometime soon, so that they could finance their summer expenses, which include buying the latest clothes and video games and going to parties.

Hot, boring

Jody Ann Robinson, 18, was able to find employment at a store in the Park Plaza. She intends to save her money to go back to school at Maths Unlimited. Many teenagers described the summer as hot, boring and just okay. Only a few were excited about going back to school, but they definitely anticipated going to parties, movies, the beach and 'hanging out' with friends.

Kadisah Barnett, who is 17, is planning to attend two parties, one in St Mary and the other at 'Little Ochie' in Alligator Pond, Manchester. She is advising her peers to "go out with responsible persons only and don't drink and drive".

Others were more interested in going to the well-known party ATI, checking into a hotel and staying until the weekend party is over.

When asked how they would finance these parties, games and the purchase of clothes when they had no summer jobs, they all pointed to their parents, saying that they were given allowances and 'pocket money'. One young man in particular, Rocquesh Barnes, who was seen at Giscombe's Sports Warehouse buying dumb-bells not only planned to party all summer, but intended to exercise and build more muscles as according to him, "I need to get the summer body".

Fashion style

Many of the young women seen in Half-Way Tree said their fashion style for the summer was trendy and classy. Danielle Phillips, 16, who attends Clarendon College, described her summer fashion style as skimpy. But even with the barely there fashion, her advice for others is "enjoy yourself but girls should try and not get pregnant".

The young men described their fashion style as a mixture of 'gangster' and sophisticated, which includes trendy loafers, colourful 'air forces' (expensive sneakers)and 'button ups' (shirts that button to the neck).

They all had something to say about how youngsters can make the best of their summer and stay out of trouble. Kemeisha Porter, 17, recommended that teenagers 'hang out' with friends, and when going to parties they should make sure they have transportation and that parents are aware that they are going out. Andre Scott 17, who was spotted at Watts New electronic and computer store at the Tropical Plaza, suggested that they try to get a job.