Washington state’s unemployment rate hit a new high last month, crossing over the 10 percent boundary and exacerbating fears about the economy.

This trend means that students looking for summer jobs are going to be up against some heavy hitters; adults desperately seeking jobs with more years of experience than their teenage competitors.

During the fourth annual Mercer Island Youth Employment Fair, employers looking for summer hires came offering tips and applications for high school and college-aged students. They were met with lots of interested students; more than 75 teenagers from around Mercer Island stopped by with parents and friends during the first hour alone.

Jake Stevenson, a sophomore at Mercer Island High School, attended the event specifically looking for a job. He said that he volunteers a lot already, so he was looking to find a way to earn some money this summer. His hope was to find a job as a lifeguard. On the whole, he said the economy made the search a little harder, but he did not feel like it was too big of a problem.

Mercer Island Parks and Recreation, looking to fill a variety of summer positions, has attended the event in years past. Recreation superintendent Diane Mortenson said that, so far, the economy has not affected them.

“There’s been some pretty good interest,” said Mortenson. She added that Parks and Recreation has around 20 positions and most of the summer hires are from the Island.

Sophie Porter, another sophomore from MIHS, said she felt that, considering how many businesses are located on the Island, it was surprising how few came to the event. She was also on the job hunt, saying that she was open to pretty much anything.

Cheryl Hudson-Manriquez, who helped organize the event, said that Mercer Island Youth and Family Services contacted over 100 businesses and organizations about the open house. The fair had 13 different organizations on hand, some looking for volunteers, and others for paying positions.

Candy Charleston, working with Sky Hawks, a summer sports camp organization, said the organization has seen a large increase in the number of applicants. Mostly the camp employees, looking for coaches, fill positions via word of mouth, Charleston said. Coaches interested in returning fill out applications again, she said. and they have been getting those in since last December for the upcoming summer.

While many students were looking for a first job to help them earn a little extra cash during the break from school, some perceive the economic downturn as a chance for students to give back to the community.

Aninda Mattoo, working with The Art of Living, a nonprofit organization, said that she believes this is a good time for students to volunteer, especially when most do not have bills to worry about yet.

“I think there are opportunities, but it’s a boom time for volunteering. It’s a good time to contribute to the community,” said Mattoo. She said she encouraged her son to come to the fair to look for more ways to volunteer because it gives valuable experience and provides students, some of whom might be too young to get other jobs, with another way to learn.

For more, go to www.mercergov.org and go to YFS.