It's understandable that some people might not be quick to praise juvenile offenders who participated in this year's Summer Community Service Project. After all, program participants became part of the program because they got in trouble with the law.

Nonetheless, the 116 juveniles who participated in this year's program performed a notable service, and some, voluntarily, logged more hours of work than they were required to perform under the terms of their sentences - like one youth who was required to work 25 hours but completed 72.

One purpose of the program is to allow such youths to give back to the community. In this instance, "community" encompassed the county; participants did work such as painting curbs and fire hydrants, cutting down weeds, helping with the Butler Fall Festival and assisting with the Saxonburg Firemen's Carnival cleanup.

In all, they logged more than 3,000 hours this summer, resulting in $16,264 worth of free labor, based on the minimum wage.

The Summer Community Service Project is operated by county juvenile probation officers. Obviously their positive example of supervision is what helped this year's program achieve results - and enthusiasm from participants - greater than what might have been initially anticipated.