Larry Scheetz has always followed a simple philosophy when it comes to his beliefs about kids: "The children of the world are kind of like our monuments to the future. If you can mold them and mentor them now, and make changes in their lives, then perhaps they'll be good citizens in the community."

It is for that reason, in part, that Scheetz, a technician for the Department of Defense and a captain in the Army Reserves, has volunteered his time for nearly four years as a member of the Mercer County Community Court Program.

Scheetz serves on the Sharon committee, one of six in the county. The court features 75 to 80 "adjudicators" from a wide range of professions, including educators, business people, elected officials, dentists, lawyers and students, said Mark Benedetto, the county's chief juvenile probation officer.

Other courts are conducted in Farrell, Hermitage, Greenville, Grove City and Mercer, Benedetto said, and 50 to 60 kids a year go through the program.

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