The speaking and research skills of high school students from around the Caribbean were put to the test this weekend during the 39th annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition, which was held here for the first time.
At the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College auditorium, six teams faced off during the four-day series: the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis.
The event got under way last Thursday, with a ceremony where all the participants marched in carrying the flags of their countries and territories.
Shortly after the ceremony, Antigua and Anguilla took to the podium to debate the topic “The portrayal of global climate change as environmental crisis is a gross exaggeration.”
After 45 minutes of battles in words, phrases and gestures, Anguilla emerged the winner.
The Elmore Stoutt High School Literary and Debating Society took the stage the next evening, with Nyssa Christopher and Ryan Kelly debating St. Maarten on the topic “Co-education prevents high school students in the Caribbean from realising their true potentials.”
“Coed institutions are incapable of meeting the needs of both boys and girls,” Ms. Christopher said in proposing the notion. “Boys and girls learn different psychologically and physiologically. … Best results cannot be derived if both boys and girls are taught in the same classroom.”
In opposing the moot, Carla Vlaun of St. Maarten claimed that boys and girls who learn in the same classroom are better prepared to interact socially after school. “Social contact between the two sexes is useful in all aspects,” Ms. Vlaun said.
At the end of the debate, a three-member team of judges deliberated for about 15 minutes before declaring the VI team the winner by one point.
On Saturday, St. Kitts debated Nevis on the moot “The popularity of social networking sites is detrimental to the development of Caribbean youth.” Nevis beat its sister island, qualifying for the finals on Sunday.
After those teams left the stage, the VI returned to take on Anguilla in the semifinals, debating the topic “The economic stability of Caribbean states should be more important than sovereignty.”
Anguilla emerged the winner, earning a spot in Sunday’s finals against Nevis. Those teams debated the topic “When injustice prevails, civil disobedience is justifiable.”
Nevis won, walking away with the 39th LIDC trophy.
The full article appears in the March 3, 2011 issue.