It was an exciting June for Amber Jones of London.

In the span of a week, the junior middle school math and science education major at Eastern Kentucky University learned she was one of 15 nationally and the only Kentuckian named to the inaugural America's Promise Youth Partnership Team and competed in the Miss Kentucky Program, where she finished in the top 10 and received the Academic Scholar Award.

The Youth Partnership Team, comprised of individuals ages 14-22 from America's Promise partners and Communities of Promise around the country, will serve as a sounding board and leadership group for the America's Promise staff and movement.

"At the heart of the America's Promise movement is the tenet that young people are resources and leaders - part of the solution, not the problem," said Peter A. Gallagher, president and CEO of America's Promise. "To truly fulfill the promise of America, we need to engage an ever-increasing number of young people in the important work of communities nationwide. Young people must be seen - and see themselves - as a vital source of service to benefit other children and youth. The Youth Partnership Team is one important step in our larger strategy to further engage the youth of this nation."

Jones, the daughter of Marty and Vickie Jones of London, wasted little time volunteering for EKU's University of Promise program, one of the nation's first, after arriving on the Richmond campus in the fall of 1999. After a year, she joined the staff as a student worker the following year and will return to that position this fall.

When Eastern hosted the America's Promise Kentucky Summit last year, Jones was one of 30 Kentuckians invited to participate in a roundtable headed by U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of America's Promise.

"Amber has shown repeatedly that she is a vital source of service and leadership for America's Promise at EKU," said Nancy Thames, director of Eastern's program. "She's a very mature and motivated student and very committed to America's Promise."

Now, Jones is taking what she's learned about the program while at EKU and applying it in her hometown of London, where she is organizing a Community of Promise program.
"It's all about making a difference in the lives of children," Jones said. "There are so many children who don't have positive role models."

Jones, 20, has made America's Promise her platform issue in the Miss Kentucky
competition and believes it's a natural fit as an education major.

"As teachers, we are mentors and role models and have a tremendous effect on children's lives," she said. "This will give me an outlet to do that."

In addition to her heavy involvement with EKU's University of Promise program, Jones maintains a 3.93 GPA, serves as philanthropy and efficiency chair in Kappa Delta, works as a mathematics tutor, is a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon (a mathematics honorary society), and participates in Campus Crusades and the Baptist Student Union.

"I've always thrived on doing as much as I can," Jones said.