By BARBARA WALKIN

Senior FN Reporter

barbara@nasguard.com

Administration of the Susan J. Wallace Teen Centre received $1,000 cheque Monday evening from Dr. Susan J. Wallace, to assist with the free programs offered at the site to youngsters throughout the community.

Wallace was the guest speaker for the Centre's official opening ceremony for its two-day, March 8 and 9, Open House Program under the theme 'Go light your candle.'

Christine Sands-Been, administrator at the centre was very excited over the generous donation and thanked Wallace on behalf of the executives.

"I was looking forward to coming, because last year when I came I was very surprised over all the programs that were offered here," said Wallace.

"Watching these youngsters here this afternoon, I am sure that there's a lot of hard work, I've been a teacher myself and to get all these students up here, from different age groups, all doing the same thing, that's an achievement in itself," she added.

Noting her amazement at the number of youngsters who are participating in programs at the centre, Wallace said that it is wonderful that they are all being introduced to "things such as the computer at a very early age."

"At age six, and the whole world is becoming computerized, so they're getting a good head start. When they get up to the stage where they are looking for jobs, they can have that behind them, and they don't have to be afraid of the computer."

She ventured that even those at retirement age, should learn the computer.

Recalling that she learned to use the computer after retiring, Wallace said that since that time she has written 11 books, on the computer.

"So I am very pleased that all of the areas that are offered are areas that are badly needed, including sewing, craft and cooking."

Wallace acknowleged that sometimes in the home parents don't have the facilities to teach the children. "However I am happy that they can be introduced to them here and that's very good."

She said that as a young girl growing up, she introduced herself to everything she saw. "I had an aunt who knew how to sew so I watched her and the next thing I knew, I was making all my children's clothes.

"I even made a suit for my husband," she added.

"So these kids when they are introduced to sewing and art and craft here, they can go and follow it up for themselves."

Wallace reminded parents that their responsibility after the children are introduced to the programs at the centre is to encourage them. "Encourage them, give them what they need to further their skills."

She told the youngsters that they can teach themselves anything, once you have a start. "And I think this centre is a start for a lot of things."

Commending the instructors, Wallace said, "I see that there are very dedicated instructors and volunteers who work with the centre.

"God's going to bless you for that because you are offering your service to this community, this island and this country by helping these children involve themselves in positive activities."

You never know where these children will go, Wallace said. "I can see that these instructors are interested in the children here, which is a very good thing and I am glad that Grand Bahama has this to offer."

Wallace again thanked the instructors, "my thanks to all of you who have really worked in this centre, I mean faithfully worked in this centre and have given your very best, sometimes with very little compensation."

Following the official opening remarks by Wallace, the children of the centre entertained their guests with a fashion show, musical rendition by the centre's choir and a tour of the facilities with displays from each program offered at the centre.