The stage has been set, the arguments have been made, and after three days of intense intellectual battles, four schools have secured their places in the semi-finals of the 2025 Inter-Secondary School Debating Competition.
Orion Academy, Dominica Grammar School (DGS), Portsmouth Secondary School (PSS), and Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS) are now one step closer to claiming the coveted championship title.
This comes on the heels of a fiercely contested quarterfinal round last week, where students once again commanded the stage with their sharp debating skills.
The competition kicked off on Wednesday, February 19, with defending champions Orion Academy facing off against Wesley High School (WHS) on the topic: “Beauty Pageants Are Outdated in a Modern Society Focused on Diversity and Inclusion.”
The ladies of WHS passionately argued in favour of the motion, championing the need for representation beyond traditional beauty standards. Meanwhile, Orion Academy countered with well-structured points on the evolving nature of pageants and their continued relevance. In the end, Orion Academy’s Jazz Maxwell and Hafsah Francois emerged victorious, earning 636 points to WHS’s 520.
While WHS did not advance, their debater Adore Defoe stole the spotlight, earning the title of Best Speaker for her compelling delivery and persuasive arguments.
The next intellectual showdown took place on Thursday, February 20, where Dominica Grammar School (DGS) and St. Martin Secondary School (SMSS) debated whether: “The Government of Dominica Should Invest Heavily in Bouyon Music Now to Ensure Future Economic Benefits from the Genre.”
Representing DGS, Rene Albert and Tzaddie Trocard passionately argued in favour of the motion, highlighting Bouyon’s potential to drive tourism and cultural identity. On the opposing side, SMSS questioned the practicality of such an investment. The judges were convinced by DGS’s case, awarding them a 636-515 victory.
Trocard’s eloquence and poise earned him the Best Speaker award for this round.
The final debate of the week, held on Friday, February 21, saw Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS) and Portsmouth Secondary School (PSS) go head-to-head over the
motion: “During Festive Seasons in Dominica, There Should Be a 9 PM Curfew Imposed on Adolescents Below the Age of 18.”
Arguing in support of the curfew, PCSS, represented by Chenika Alexander and Myra Dover, laid out strong points on safety and responsibility. However, PSS, led by Maliah Ettienne and Roxanne Andre, delivered a compelling counterargument against restricting young people’s freedoms.
The debate ended with PSS securing the win, 637-559. Ettienne’s commanding performance earned her the title of Best Speaker.
While PCSS fell short, their spirited effort earned them a second chance—they will advance to the semi-finals as the school with the narrowest losing margin in this round.
With the semi-finals set for March, the four remaining teams—Orion Academy, DGS, PSS, and PCSS—are gearing up for the next stage of competition. With a spot in the grand finals in April on the line, the stakes are higher than ever.
This debating competition, revived just three years ago after a long hiatus, has become a beacon of intellectual growth for students across Dominica.
Organized by Ms. Trudy Christian, Interim President of the Dominica State College (DSC), the event continues to thrive with the unwavering support of DSC’s Literary and Debating Society and this year’s headline sponsor, Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd.
Additional sponsors, including Lindo Mart, National Cooperative Credit Union, KFC, Fine Foods Inc., DOWASCO, DOMLEC, HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd., National Bank of Dominica, Insurance Company of the West Indies, Jay’s Bookstore, Republic Bank, and Moreau & Co. Ltd., have also played a crucial role in making this competition possible.
