It was a simple but powerful message 15-year-old children’s books author Sierra Blair delivered to the Library Cadets Programme, writing is something anybody can excel in.

The young author who launched her writing career as a 13-year-old now has two books under her belt in The Books of Roman Series, based on the antics of her baby brother.

The first, Roman & His Mean Family is available in paperback and on Kindle from Amazon, while Roman and The Pink Flamingos is available at the Atlantis Resort and at Ardastra Gardens and could be checked out from select libraries across New Providence.

In her first public speaking engagement, the tenth grader addressed a Library Cadets training meeting for future information and media specialists. The monthly gathering assembles public and private school students from sixth to twelfth grade.

“It was such a delight to hear Sierra’s motivations for writing and her goals and aspirations for future publications,” said Dorcas Bowler, the Ministry of Education’s director of libraries for the National Library and Information Services Department.

“Sierra’s timely presentation as a young author has stimulated others to share this passion of writing and illustrating of real-life experiences. In addition, writing underscores the importance of using one’s powerful sense of imagination and special interests to create stories that would live on in the minds and hearts of readers.”

Ms Bowler added: “The young author was able to speak fluently on her subject and was able to motivate the audience, young people like herself, to write and to write well.”

The director invited the teen author and her mother, media and public relations professional Tosheena Robinson-Blair to bring remarks to cadets in hopes of transitioning club members from aspiring to professional writers with their works finally making it onto paper and into the world.

Ms Bowler’s strategy seemed to have worked in at least one case.

“I want to write a book to help and encourage young girls,” said Alidia Magnus, an eleventh grader at Government High School.

“Many young girls go through stuff I go through and even worse,” said the 16-year-old who lost her mother at a young age.

“I still feel like I’m a blessing in spite of it all. I want to open other girls’ eyes to come with a smile on their face each and every day.”

For Ms Blair the presentation capped of a whirlwind mid-term break which saw the Kingsway Academy Principal Honor Roll student appear on ZNS TV 13 The Conversation with host Shenique Miller and on Kiss 96.1 FM’s Ed Fields Live.

“I was more nervous about speaking to the Library Cadets than I was about the media appearances. Not only was it my first public speaking event but like myself, teenagers can zone out if they have no interest in what the person is talking about,” said the teen.

“It was exciting being able to share my experience with others who are interested in becoming authors. I’m happy if I was able to inspire at least one person with my story. It’s rewarding to know you made a difference.”

Tenth grade author Sierra Blair speaks to students from grade six through 12, during a monthly meeting of the Library Cadets held at the Wulff Road Public Library on Friday, February 22.

Sierra Blair shows off the artwork from her first book, Roman & His Mean Family, illustrated by Rashad Cash during her first public presentation.

Dorcas Bowler, the Ministry of Education’s director of libraries for the National Library and Information Services Department invited Sierra Blair to bring remarks to Library Cadets in hopes of transitioning club members from aspiring to professional writers. Pictured here, Ms Bowler presents Ms Blair with a token of appreciation. Photo(s) courtesy of Precision Media

The Government of The Bahamas seeks to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2020.

In a bid to engage the public in dialogue and discussion, regular information sessions are being held to prepare the nation for impending accession next year.

Last evening, Tuesday, 26th February, a lecture was held at the Harry C. Moore Library at the University of The Bahamas campus, featuring Harvard adjunct professor, Mr. Craig VanGrasstek.

During the lecture, he expanded on excerpts from his book, 'Trade and American Leadership: The Paradoxes of Power and Wealth from Alexander Hamilton to Donald Trump,’ and spoke specifically to issues relevant to the WTO.

Mr. VanGrasstek lectures at the Harvard Kennedy School; and his firm, Washington Trade Reports, specializes in monitoring and analyzing current issues in trade policy.

Mr. Zhivargo Laing, Chief Negotiator for Bahamas Accession to the WTO and Executive Director, Government & Public Policy Institute at the University of The Bahamas moderated the event.

Chief Negotiator for Bahamas Accession to the WTO and Executive Director, Government & Public Policy Institute at the University of The Bahamas, Zhivargo Laing, introducing Harvard adjunct professor, Craig VanGrasstek during a lecture on the WTO at the Harry C. Moore Library, University of The Bahamas, on Tuesday, 26th February, 2019. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith) 

Harvard adjunct professor, Craig VanGrasstek, presenting a lecture on the WTO with excerpts from his book, ' 'Trade and American Leadership.' (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

CLOSE to a dozen stores were destroyed when a massive blaze consumed the Britannia Mini Mall yesterday and threatened another nearby business in Freeport.

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