St Hilda’s High School has won the inaugural St Ann High Schools Debating Competition, sponsored by the St Ann police. In a competitive match on the emotional subject of the effects of dancehall lyrics on society, St Hilda’s and St Ann’s Bay High battled gallantly with St Hilda’s of Brown’s Town coming out on top. In the audience for the finals and awards ceremony, at the Sandals Grande Riviera, Ocho Rios, on Tuesday, June 10, were educators and debating team members from several of the eight schools that had participated. In addition to the finalists, they were: Ferncourt, Ocho Rios, Aabuthnott Gallimore, Marcus Garvey, York Castle and Brown’s Town high schools. Brown’s Town High took third place, with third highest points after its loss to St Hilda’s in the second semi-finals. That match was adjudged to be the most competitive. The highest scoring match, using averages or aggregate scores, was the finals, with St Hilda’s scoring 1,712 points and St Ann’s Bay 1,560.5 Representing St Hilda’s at the finals were: Shauna Kay Martin, Davidene Brown and Krystal Davidson Shauna Kay Martin who was the second speaker was also judged to be the best speaker for the competition. Coaches for St Hilda’s were Marva Henry-Johnson and Suzette Williams. Debaters for St Ann’s Bay at the finals were: Emelius Watson, Dennis Reid and Clievia McEnough. Clevia was specially commended for her bold and demonstrative style. For St Ann’s Bay coaches were: Curline Gordon and Rachel Pyne.Several senior police officers were at the event organized by Cpl Natalee Williams, of the Police Community Services/Safe Schools Programme. Among them were: ACP for Area 2, Ealan Powell, SSP in charge of St Ann, Yvonne Martin-Daley, SSP for community safety and security Area 2; Dudley Scott and Superintendent i/c Ocho Rios Trevaughn Haughton. ACP Powell indicated that a similar competition would be run in Portland and St Marty, parishes also under his supervision. SSP Martin Daley praised the “multi-pronged collaboration of the parties” – police, schools, sponsors, parents and teachers to make the event work successful.
GARVEY PRINCIPLE
Guest speaker, musician and performer Tony Rebel, whose given name is Patrick Barrett, praised the concept of the debates and congratulated the schools for sending out some of the finest minds for the debate. He said the fact that the “one of the greatest debaters and orators of all time (Marcus Garvey) originated in St Ann should not be overlooked.” Tony Rebel encouraged students to be the best they can be. Giving the report on behalf of the panel of judges, James Walsh said the debating had improved over the weeks of the competition and there was improved interpretation of the moot, improved research and some bright debaters. Franklin McKnight, chief judge, gave the winning scores, commended the teams and thanked the other judges. They were: Christine Badal-McBean, Shanna McLeary-Orr and Oral Heaven, president of the St Ann Chamber and of Sagicor. Rev Gary Johnson gave the invocation; Rachel Payne of St Ann’s Bay High gave the school’s response and vote of thanks was done by Letisha Ennis McKenzie. Chairman throughout was Halshane Burke, presenter and journalist at IRIE FM.
