Page 24B Viewpoint . By Julian Lockhart Summer is starting to wind down and with the end of summer comes the begin- ning of a new school year. Teachers and students are starting to prepare for the new school year and with that comes new experiences and hopefully a better sports program with inter-school competition. Last year the high schools on Aba- co barely had any form of inter-school sports. Besides the track and field meet, a handful of American flag football games and a swim meet where only one high school showed up, the sports program on the island is really lacking. Ministry of Sports representative Ish- mael “Stretch” Morley said, “For the competition we have to go through the Principals Association and the High School Sporting Associations and we can’t do anything without those two bod- ies working together and with us. Until we get everyone on the same page, you won’t have all the schools participating in the same events. They have to see what sports can benefit their schools and what glory sports can bring to their schools. I wouldn’t say they are not together. It is just a matter for them to put more em- The Abaconian CHARTER FLIGHTS August 1, 2007 .. High School Sports phasis on sports and for them to under- stand sports and what it can do for their schools,” he added. In New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros and Eleuthera the high schools compete against each other in basket- ball, softball, soccer, volleyball, track and field and many other sports. It is understood to build the well rounded student athletic competition is definitely a plus and creates another add- ed distinction on their diploma when ap- plying to universities. Also sports brings recognition to a school through great athletic performances, student athletes receiving scholarships abroad and thus colleges sending more scouts to Abaco to look for raw talent. However, if these student athletes aren't receiving consistent competition in their discipline, then they are not able to hone their skills and are not putting themselves in position to receive sports scholarships to colleges and universities abroad. However, because of the lacking of competition and the schools on Abaco not getting together to compete against each other consistently, it is best for the TOUS. BAHAMAS & CARIBBEAN - Daily Service - Between Marsh Harbour / Treasure Cay and Melbourne, Daytona Beach Fort Lauderdale Regardless of the Destination, Please Call Us Today to Quote Your Next Trip at: 1-242-367-4852 or 1-242-365-8852 (Marsh Harbour Terminal) (Treasure Cay Terminal) 1-800-852-0275 (U.S. Only) * (386) 423-1773 * Fax (386) 423-1774 E-mail: flyyintage@aol.com * www.vpj.com CHECK OUR WEBSITE BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP | r ni a ern top talent on Abaco to go elsewhere to play. This way they put themselves in a better position to gain an athletic schol- arship in the United States or Canada. Mr. Morley said, “Abaco Central and S.C. Bootle have excellent athletes, but they need more game time, more com- petition so they can run up and down the court and learn how to play with the clock and stuff. They will never win a championship because as soon as they show they can play, schools on New Providence and Grand Bahama take them. That decision has to be made by their parents. I don’t have a problem with their going to Nassau or Freeport because we don’t have the facilities. You can’t invite anyone here unless they come to play outside. We are at the mercy of the weather then. That is the only way they can get scholarships and it will be beneficial for them to go. If you look at Tabernacle, they are loaded with Abaco Central High; and if you look at Sunland, they are loaded with Abaco Central High and S.C. Bootle players,” Mr. Morley added. —~ ie Government Summer Work Experience By Samantha V. Evans Every year young people in high school look forward to gaining a little work experience over their summer break and to earning money for back to school. The Government Agency Sum- mer Work Experience Program began on the island of Abaco on July 16th with teenagers being placed at govern- ment departments across Central Abaco including the Post Office, BEC, the Port Authority, Customs, Road Traffic, the Administrator’s Office, Ministry of Tourism, the Court, and the Business License Office. The placement of teens was the responsibility of Mrs. Enid Whyte and Mr. Ishmael “Stretch” Mor- ley. The students will work two weeks at the above offices. At the end of the work experience they will receive a small stipend for their assistance. 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