Talking back is what these kids do exceptionally well.
The Our Lady of Snows (OLS) Debate and Speech team’s sharp responses and quick wit proved to be the gold standard during the school year’s inaugural debate tournament.
It’s the first time an OLS team has captured top prize in its four-year debate program’s existence and the team now looks to ride that momentum in a home town debate later this month.
Duo debaters Hayley Finnigan, Grade 8, and Anya Morgan, Grade 7, won the Webber Academy Junior High Debate tournament on Sept. 30, while outperforming 45 teams in the process.
During the same evening, Grade 7 student Chanel Khuu took home a silver medal for speaker points out of 92 students. Finnigan placed fifth and Morgan was 13th in the category.
The OLS students had never participated in a tournament like this before and said it was a daunting scene as they stepped into the competition-filled Calgary school with teams from across Calgary and Edmonton.
“It was a big school and all these schools are coming in, and you’re uncertain of yourself because you don’t know how skilled they are,” Finnigan said.
But once it was underway, the butterflies in their stomachs disappeared and a natural flare for arguing their point flowed smoothly.
“It’s quite scary at first, but once you get into the debate and you know what you’re going to say and you know your topic, then it’s definitely a lot easier,” said Morgan.
The topics for the debate were – should the Canadian voting age be lowered to 16 years old; and how social media is affecting human personal interaction. The teams were randomly assigned to be pro or con and given 15 minutes to deliberate before presenting their arguments.
“When I got up to the stand and there’s a bunch of people I don’t know (who are) watching, I was very nervous,” said Khuu, adding the nerves melted away before she argued her points.
“I like to get my point across and say what I believe in and I think I have a very strong confidence or voice that I can share.”
OLS teacher Janell Toews said for some first-time debaters, some naturals have come out of the only rural school to participate in the tournament.
“Debate is huge for confidence or public speaking, whether that’s speaking at a forum from a voter’s perspective or going out to further their career wherever they want, or just having the confidence to speak up for themselves,” said Toews.
From only two members four years ago to 18 members this year, the debate and speech team is only getting stronger and more experienced. The trio of students each said they joined the team to increase their speaking abilities and it looked like a fun extra-curricular activity.
Coming up on Oct. 28, OLS will host a student debate with an open invitation to Calgary schools to come participate. It will be open to the public.
The debate season runs until the beginning of February, when regionals, provincials and then nationals take place.
“I think we’re all pretty excited to have a debate here and participate in it,” said Finnigan, “but also, I’m looking forward to seeing how we do in regionals and provincials and if we can get to nationals.”
