Students from Cedar International School are the first place winners of the 2020 Inter Secondary School Debates.
The winning team of Amalia Adamson, Hailey Chomiak and Ali Tarabay debated against the Elmore Stoutt High School on the moot, “Blacklisting Caribbean Financial Centres Is A Modern Form Of Colonialism”.
The overall best speaker for the debate was awarded to Cedar International School student Amalia Adamson.
Co-Curricular Education Officer, Mrs. Heida Selwood said the aim of the debates is to help students with their public speaking skills and to allow them to communicate on a variety of topics.
“We want to develop their ability to analyse arguments, evaluate and select evidence, refute arguments and to build comradery among students from other school and their peers,” Mrs. Selwood added.
Students also participated in the Impromptu Speech segment and debated a topic selected on the night of the competition. Halla Selwood won first place for the Impromptu Speech Competition with Nickhlous Khanai and Nikelle Melville being awarded second and third place respectively.
Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George said that there has been tremendous improvement over the years with the preparation of students for the Impromptu speech.
“Significant for me has been the improvement of students being able to think on their feet, they have come a very long way… All schools performed well.” Mrs. George said.
Persons can visit the Government of the Virgin Islands’ Facebook page @BVIGovernment to view the 2020 Inter Secondary School Debates full series.