At the end of Round 2 debates of the Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition, held on February 22nd and 23rd 2024, four secondary schools remain in the competition and will be heading to the semi-final round on March 18th 2024. The Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, the St. Mary’s Academy, the Orion Academy and the Arthur Waldron SDA Academy have all secured a spot in the semi-finals.
Amelia Charles and Jo-Annel Serrant of the ITSS secured victory for their school in their debate against the Dominica Grammar School where they opposed the topic “Gun amnesties are the best way to reduce the illegal firearm possession issue in Dominca.” The ITSS team scored 658 points to DGS’ 619 and Amelia Charles also copped the award for best speaker. The DGS was represented by Elianette Joly and Kishma Theophile.
In the second debate of Round 2, the St. Mary’s Academy, represented by Noah Sorhaindo and Jelani Shillingford cinched a victory against opponent Arthur Waldron SDA Academy, scoring 689 points to AWSDAA’s 635 points. Team SMA proposed the topic that “There should be a limit set by the Caribbean Examinations Council on how many CSEC subjects a student can attempt in one sitting.” Best speaker award was captured by Noah Sorhaindo of the St. Mary’s Academy.
In the last debate of Round 2, the Orion Academy, represented by Dymond Daniel and E’Jahdi Maxwell opposed the topic “Carnival celebrations in Dominica have become hypersexualized and no longer embrace local culture and tradition” and secured victory against the Convent High School. The Orion Academy put up 659 points to CHS’s 632. Dymond Daniel of the Orion Academy was adjudged best speaker. The CHS was represented by Thérèse LeBlanc and Nia Williams.
The highest scoring runner-up of the Round 2 debates was the Arthur Waldron SDA Academy, represented by Malia Bertrand and Reuan Thomas. As a result of their score, they were selected to round up the group making it to the semi-finals.
The Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition is in its second year of operation since being re-introduced. Last year’s champion was the Arthur Waldron SDA Academy. The top sponsors of this year’s competition are Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd, Lindo Mart, Fine Foods Inc. (KFC), Freeman Consulting Group LLC, DBS Radio, National Cooperative Credit Union, DOMLEC and Dr. Joshua Lloyd and Mrs. Karyncia Joseph-Lloyd.
