Deadline near for 20Below applicants.

Byline: OPPORTUNITY The Register-Guard

Time is running short. Young people who would like to be a 20Below Team writer or artist for the 2007-08 school year have until 5 p.m. Friday to apply.

Applicants need to write a one-page letter - typed or printed from a computer - telling us about themselves and why they think they'd be a great addition to 20Below. To be eligible, applicants must be at least a freshman in high school but no older than 20 on Sept. 4, 2007.

At the top, put your name, current grade and age, the name of your current school (and where you'll be going to school in the fall, if different), your address, phone number and an e-mail address where we can reach you.

Writers need to submit a suitable-for-publication 20Below story in 700 words or less. In addition, on a separate sheet of paper, give us five good story ideas that you would like to write for 20Below.

Those applying to be an illustrator should include at least five examples of their work, with your name and address on the back of each sample. Send color copies, preferably, or include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your original photos or drawings returned.

All applications must include a letter-sized, self-addressed envelope. We would suggest you not risk mailing applications with such little time remaining before the deadline. But if you like to live on the edge, you can mail it to: Name of Job You're Applying For, 20Below, The Register-Guard, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440.

To ensure your application arrives at The Register-Guard by 5 p.m. Friday, you can deliver it to the front desk in the lobby at The Register-Guard, 3500 Chad Drive.

More information can be found at www.registerguard .com/20Below.