By Victoria Young, Debate & Public Speaking Prefect
To top off the tremendous success of the debate team this year, Natasha Hofer and I qualified to represent Manitoba at National Debating Championships this year in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Six hours of travel time to “The Rock” was well worth it. Experiencing top quality debating, exploring a province we had never visited before, and meeting debaters from across Canada made the competition one to remember.
Along with improving our debate skills, we learned about the history of the province and former country by researching the prepared motion: “This House believes that The Battle of Beaumont Hamel was crucial to the formation of the nation of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The rounds of impromptu resolutions included topics involving pre-election polls, humanitarian aid, the acknowledgement of sexual minorities, fake news, and more.
It has been an honour to be your 2017/18 Debate & public Speaking Prefect. Encouraging our newest debaters, judging at the junior level, and competing at the senior level of debate and public speaking have all been very rewarding. I have gained the skills necessary for critical thinking, rationalizing, and seeing concerns from many perspectives.
In addition, I have met amazing peers, working with some of our up and coming leaders, and I have been part of a very successful group of BH girls.
I can speak for the entire debate and public speaking team in saying that each of our individual accomplishments could not have been achieved without the unconditional assistance of our coach, Mrs. Carissa (Nikkel) Balcaen '02.