TWO STUDENTS REALLY `COOL' KABC GREENLIGHT HONOR TEENS FOR VOLUNTEER EFFORTS.

Byline: Mark Kellam Valley News Writer

A high school student is usually considered cool for driving a hot sports car or mastering a skateboard trick. But two local teens have been deemed cool because of their generosity.

Amanda Martin and Jimecia Jones were recently named `Cool Kids' and each received $1,000 scholarships. The program recognizes students between 14 and 18 years of age who perform exceptional services in the community.

`Cool Kids' is sponsored by KABC , and Greenlight Financial Services.

Martin, 16, of Calabasas has donated more than $8,500 in cash and jewelry to various charities, including UNICEF, the American Red Cross and Camp Sunburst for kids with HIV and AIDS.

The Viewpoint Student creates most of her jewelry out of guitar picks. Her creative endeavor took off two years ago when she was taking guitar lessons and saw several ornate guitar picks on display. She thought it would be cool to incorporate them into necklaces.

Martin, who was then in the eighth grade, made some for herself. One day, she was wearing one of her necklaces in a boutique and the owner asked whether she would make some to sell in the shop. She did and other boutiques came on board.

At that point, Martin decided to donate all the proceeds from her sales to charities.

Since then, she's expanded her jewelry creations to include earrings, almost all of them featuring a dangling guitar pick or two.

She also makes pearl jewelry, but generally donates those items for silent auctions to benefit Viewpoint or her temple.

Is jewelry-making a career pursuit for her? "I may not be making jewelry forever, but I do want to continue giving to charities," said Martin, who is interested in pursuing a theatrical career.

Martin also organized and funded a Campaign Against Tobacco, called C.A.T. Week, which has become an annual event at Viewpoint.

Jones, 17, of Van Nuys was chosen as a `Cool Kid' for her hard work helping children with and without disabilities at a summer camp sponsored by Jay Nolan Community Services. The camp is held at Camp Teresita Pines in Wrightwood.

The camp is split into two weeks. Jones got involved when she was 8 years old. The camp director at the time lived in the same apartment building as Jones and her mother, Alexis Banks.

Her mother found out about the camp, where one-third of the participants have disabilities. Jones, who doesn't have a disability, enjoyed her experiences at the camp and went back every summer. Two years ago, she signed on as a counselor-in-training.

"I love children, I benefit from seeing smiles on their faces and keeping them from seeing them homesick," Jones said. "In the beginning of the week, the kids are crying and crying, but by the end of the week, they don't want to leave."

Jones attends Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Reseda, where she is involved with the Black Student Union.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Amanda Martin with some of the jewelry she makes with guitar picks.

(2) Jimecia Jones (center) with weathercaster Danny Romero and KABC President Arnold J. Kleiner.