Columns

By Penny Legg

OK I know now there are some totally mad keep fit enthusiasts on Anguilla!

The ladies keep fit session in the Ronald Webster Park starts at five in the morning and runs until six, which is when the police physical training session starts. My husband and I left our cosy bed on Wednesday to visit these two activities.

Wasted Youth

She glanced in the mirror at her reflection.
What she found there was far from perfection
She looked at her nose she considered too long
She looked at her lips that appeared all wrong

I am writing this edition of Celebration of Youth from London, England. This majestic city has all of the luxuries of the modern world as well as much history. Anguilla is, of course, an overseas territory of England and therefore there is a large connection between the two in terms of history, governmental proceedings, and culture. During my travels here, I have played tennis at the prestigious Queens Club as well as other tennis facilities. In my interaction with Londoners who have been, or live in Anguilla, they all make the same comments about the opportunities for children in both London and Anguilla.

“What’s ‘snogging’?” asked my American tennis opponent recently just as I was about to serve.

I missed the serve completely.

“What did you say?” I asked her, thinking that I had misheard.
“’Snogging’, what is it? I’m reading a British novel and it keeps coming up. What does it mean?” she replied.

The only way to preserve a nation’s culture is through education. Whether it is in the schools, through community outreach programs or even in the homes of the people. In order for a tradition to continue, children must be made aware of the value and purpose of the custom. Although cricket, football and tennis are popular in Anguilla, sailing is still considered the national sport. Sailing competitions, regattas or boat races bring the community together and people come out in large numbers to lyme and enjoy the craftsmanship and skill of the sailors.

“Art is the Queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world,” (Leonardo da Vinci.)

Ever since I can remember, there has been a push in schools to make sure children know reading, writing, arithmetic and science. Of course, these areas are essential for one to become a functioning member of society. But I have said many times that if you take away the arts, what will be left to write about? I have never proclaimed to be an artist or writer but, by my formal education, I have studied art and literature to the highest degree.

The process for seeking and obtaining admission into a higher education institution is quite competitive these days in many ways. With the rapid growth in Anguilla, there is now, more than ever, a need for advanced personnel in almost every field imaginable. Currently, as we all saw in last week’s edition of The Anguillian, there has been an influx of imported labour.

As we grow older the holidays alter as our perception changes. Yet, if we want the holidays to continue to be an important time of the year, it is vital that the youth continue our traditions. In the last 25 years, the Christmas holiday has become overwhelmingly commercialized. It seems that spending money and splurging has become commonplace.

There are negotiations going on about a new basketball facility that will be the best Anguilla has ever seen. Moreover, the new football stadium is visible as construction has begun near the James Ronald Webster Park. Of course, I could not forget to mention that the new state of the art tennis facility currently being built in Blowing Point should be completed by June of next year.

In this weeks edition of The Anguillian, you will find an article on Anguilla Tennis Academy’s children dominating the St. Maarteners this past weekend. Also, I believe this it has been mentioned before: I am a huge fan of the University of Florida Gators in all sports.

In last weeks edition of Celebration of Youth I spoke about how impactful our actions can be to children. It is important to continue with this subject as it seems that time is critical when confronting problems associated around youth. Just the other day as I was standing in the James Ronald Webster Park, the children were being let out of school. It was so interesting to find that as the older students passed, they were quite reluctant to speak to me our my tennis coaches.

Before you begin to read this edition of Celebration of Youth, it is important to understand that although my column is designed to celebrate youth by highlighting positive aspects, I believe the topic that follows is timely and needs to be mentioned.

In recent issues of The Anguillian, there has been much press coverage on the new Community College in Anguilla. First and foremost, I find that this notion of instituting an opportunity for tertiary education in Anguilla is a fantastic idea as it provides more opportunities for growth within this nation for everyone, especially the young people.

Before I begin this edition of Celebration of Youth, I must apologize to my readers. The past three editions of The Anguillian were devoid of this column as I was on vacation and I did not inform my audience of my absence from Anguilla. I did, however, fully plan on having three articles written and submitted before my departure but the subjects of those articles failed to return my e-mails and phone calls. Nevertheless, I am now home and this column will resume its weekly appointment with The Anguillian.

Seeing that I did not had the privilege of attending the Service of Thanksgiving for the restoration of the Chief Minister’s health, little over a week ago, I’d like to publicly declare my expressions of gratitude to God for a successful surgery and for his providential healing. It is always befitting to give thanks, especially when the case is as significant as the blessings of a properly functioning transplanted kidney.

While traveling through a strange environment, it is usually beneficial to establish for ourselves certain landmarks for the purpose of easily finding our way around. I am sure that many of us have experienced such benefits amidst the maze of unfamiliar surroundings. A landmark could be of enormous value, whether it be a gigantic building just around the corner, an old green house surrounded by a wall, a huge shady tree, a popular fast-food restaurant or a busy bus-stop. Yes, landmarks are essential for strangers who are not acquainted with the town.

There seems to be a myth that governments are the only entity responsible for the development of youth and society. Although governments play a major role in the two aforementioned areas, responsibility does not lay solely on any separate entity as it should be a collaborative effort among government, community, and parents.

The United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 14/106 of December, 14th 1990 designated October First of every year as the International Day of Elder Persons. By its resolution of 21st December, 1995 the United Nations General Assembly re-designated the International Day for the Elderly as International Day for Elder Persons.

Recently, I took it upon myself to ask various teachers about students who stand out in the classroom. Of course, many names were given, but there were two young ladies that incessantly stuck out. Krystie and Krystal Webster, twin daughters of Zulma Webster from the Labour Department and all three residents of Long Road, are this week’s topic of praise. The twins are most famous because of the manner in which they excel in the classroom, but in my opinion, the responsibility shown by these two in being able to juggle so many activities at once is most impressive.

Youth seems to be a timely subject these days. It is being mentioned on the various radio stations and talk shows, on web pages and talk forums related to Anguilla, as well as the local newspapers. Consequently, the media blitz on youth topics has prompted many people and organizations to start, maintain or upgrade youth initiatives.