Dear Source:
I was most impressed with Elaine Penn's article on youth programs, and the need for a Youth Council to coordinate these activities.
As the coordinator of a youth flag football league, initiated by the American Legion Post 131 and sponsored by local merchants, I would more than welcome a centralized organization for the purpose ensuring that all youth on all islands get a chance to participate in the many activities available to them. We have had great rapport with Parks and Recreation in getting this activity off the ground and look forward to continued success.
For the flag football league, we would love to play teams from other islands if they existed, but, as Ms. Penn points out, there is little communication as to what leagues have been formed other than the St John league. We have been informed that a youth league (ages 9 through 17) may exist on St Thomas and we would like very much to organize inter-island play.
To enhance the experience of team sports or any other activity, it always makes sense to inter-play with other teams and groups from other areas in order to gauge how well they are doing. The St John league is new but so far, very successful and growing. We have plans to continue play in the spring and fall of 2007 and want greater participation. A Youth Council would help in coordinating activities, so as to not over-lap dates and enhance the advertising of start up dates and locations.
The American Legion league would also like to be on Sen. Malone's directory. It would be nice if the contact information for that directory were placed on the Source.
The American Legion Post 131 is a St John community organization whose members would be more than anxious to take the lead on forming such a council.
To contact the American Legion, please call Paul Devine, adjutant, at 998-1925 or tallpd@viaccess.net
Again, thank you Ms. Penn for this wonderful suggestion.
Paul Devine
St. John
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