Contrary to a headline in Monday's paper, tickets for Dr. Ben Carson's evening address on April 8 are still available. Tickets for his meeting with students, earlier that day, have been sold out.

Tickets for motivational speaker and author Dr. Ben Carson's meeting with students this week have sold out.

Organisers of the leading American neurosurgeon's visit, Successories of Bermuda, said the sell out was possible through sponsorship by Government and local businesses.

Dr. Carson, who will speak at the Seventh Day Adventist Youth Centre hall in Hamilton at 8 p.m. on April 8, will address the Island's youth earlier that day at the Cathedral on Church Street, beginning at 4.30 p.m.

"Dr. Carson will be giving a motivational presentation to students to inspire them to work towards living their dreams and developing themselves into all they can be,'' Mr. William Spriggs of Successories said.

"Teachers have been distributing the Saturday, April 8 event tickets to students over the last two weeks.

"Successories feedback is that students are really anxious for the afternoon event and look forward to the motivational experience.'' Mr. Spriggs said primary students were particularly "geared up'' for the event, as some students have read or were reading Dr. Carson's books, "Gifted Hands'' and "Think Big''.

"Dr. Carson will use a unique blend of stimulating material and down-to-earth common sense to capture student attention,'' Mr. Spriggs said. "All students are guaranteed to walk away with ideas and techniques that will help them to stay focussed for success.'' Having gone from the bottom of his class and failing high school to a top neurosurgeon in the US, Dr. Carson is expected to have a "real message for students''.

Mr. Spriggs said: "His story of how he, with strong single-parent support, pulled himself to the top of his class and then on to college and medical school, is one that will inspire many students and adults alike.'' In conjunction with Dr. Carson's visit, Successories has offered students -- who will not be able to hear Dr. Carson at the Cathedral or at the Seventh Day Adventist Youth Centre hall -- a chance to win educational or personal development videos through a "Dr. Ben Carson Student Success Contest''.

The deadline of the contest, which is open to all students who have read Dr.

Carson's latest book "Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence'', has been extended to Wednesday.

Entries should not be more than one handwritten page and must be mailed to Successories of Bermuda, P.O. Box HM 2565, Hamilton HMKX.

In addition to the video prizes, a photograph of the winners will be published in The Royal Gazette .

Tickets for Dr. Carson's 8 p.m. address are available from Successories by calling 295-4111, and from 27th Century Boutique on the corner of Church and Burnaby streets.