Resident Artist Stacie Steensland once again came by to help some students beautify the Centre. The mural pictured began as a collaboration of a number of budding young artists and finished with Stacie and Charlemange Charles working out the final detail. The design was created and sketched entirely by the Centre members and took several months to finish. It has added a lot of personality to the Girls "Chill" room! Next up: boys side.
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The Black History Month Show was a great success! Click HERE for some amazing shots of this fantastic show.
The pictures shown are of the rehearsal in the afternoon of Saturday Feb 27. The members presented an eclectic mix of poetry, pose, song and dance all embedded in a skit about slavery. The whole performance linked back to the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands displaying a strong and proud people that have come a long way in time.
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World Champion Free Diver Tanya Streeter came to visit the Centre for an inspiring talk about what one can do when pushed to the limit. Streeter showed footage of her dives here in the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as her equipment - a massive mono-fin which helps her kick to great depths.  She explained breathing techniques and generally showed our members a sport they didn't know existed! It was a unique day for many teens at the Centre and we hope Tanya will return the next time she's in TCI.
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Turf & Surf Horse Race Fundraiser
 
The fifth annual Turf and Surf fundraising event, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Beaches Resort and Spa, resulted in $58,500 being donated to the Turks & Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) for use at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre.
A wide cross-section of the local community came out for this fun and unique event.
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Guests had a chance to win by betting on pre-taped horse races that were called live by internationally-renowned horseracing commentator and Kentucky Derby announcer, Mr. Mark Johnson.The evening culminated with a calcutta-like auction of horses with the winning bids combined to form the payout for Win, Place and Show and the owners naming their horses. This year the champion's trophy was awarded to Ed and Carol Gartland whose horse, Carol's Surprise beat out Behind Glass Shack owned by Bordier Bank and The Gov'nor owned by HAB to take the top spot. All three donated their winnings back, making the Youth Centre the biggest winner of all!
This event takes place every year in January or February thanks to all who volunteer for it. Please join us in 2011 as this night is for a great cause never disappoints!