I first reached the shores of Anguilla in July 1998 by invitation from Mitchelle Lake and Shawn Romney to assist as a visiting coach for the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s annual summer tennis camp. It was indeed my first trip to the Caribbean and not the last of the many “firsts” I have experienced here.

Mr. Jason Allen

One year ago, I decided to leave the arctic and dreary confines of Kentucky to come and do what I had essentially being doing for the past 8 years of my life: teach children. I began teaching as a volunteer English and Spanish teacher at an elementary school to children of migrant workers from Mexico. I then decided that I wanted to dedicate my life to teaching and youth development and consequently received a B.A. in Spanish Literature and Secondary Education. When Mr. Lake offered me the opportunity to come to Anguilla, and take over the ATA’s youth programs, I found myself in a transition period from finishing a MA in Spanish Literature or continuing on the Ph. D. level. I quickly took the opportunity as I felt it was time to move on.

I, like many, have been a faithful reader of The Anguillian and although Nat Hodge does a tremendous job, there has always been a lack of attention paid to the youth of Anguilla in general. Youth development does not seem to be timely, at the moment, with all the development projects, changes in government, newly found problems with crime, tourism, and corporate battles which bleed onto the advertisement pages. Yet, it is my contention that children have a stake in every one of the aforementioned issues as well as any other that I have regrettably omitted. The children are bearing witness to the development and will one day seek jobs in these particular establishments. They may hold office or be part of the civil service, choose to work in the tourism industry or lamentably opt for indulging in socially subversive activities. It has been said many times, socially and publicly, that there is simply not enough options for our youth and therefore they become bored and tend to get into mischief.

With that notion in mind, the premise of this new column is “youth” in general. I have no intention of creating a forum whereby society can badger or blame the youth for the most recent travesties or future regressions as most adults tend to do. I refuse to concentrate on the negative aspects of youth in Anguilla and therefore will solely concentrate on young individuals in Anguilla who are doing great things. It is my hope to research and seek out these extra special youth and highlight their successes for all of Anguilla to read. Yet, I will be depending on the assistance of children, parents, educators, pastors, and citizens alike to bring to my attention these outstanding youth.

Along with every published article on their accolades, I will include my contact information so that one might be able to bring to my consideration noteworthy developments that deal strictly with youth. This column will not exclusively adhere to one format as the topic of youth development is, by nature, multifaceted. Some will focus on individuals, others on development opportunities and developmental psychology.

Nevertheless, here is a new forum for you, the youth of Anguilla, to highlight your successes. For the older readers, I hope you will share in this celebration of Anguilla’s youth as they are indeed ‘world-class.’

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