Sugar Ray Thomas
St Mary High School walked away champions of the Safe School Debate Competition after they defeated St Mary Technical High School in an enthralling final held at the Parish Church Hall in Port Maria on Wednesday, December 7.
The Safe School Debate Competition aims to address social and other issues affecting young people in the parish. The Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) is headed by deputy superintendent Lorraine Elliston.
Eight schools were expected to have participated in the competition, which culminated last Wednesday in the grand final which saw eventual winners St Mary High School opposing the moot: ‘The suggestion to buy used cars for the Jamaica Constabulary Force will only undermine the police officer’s ability to provide effective security and quick response as also reducing their prestige.’
The competition continues to be beneficial in developing the students’ skill of critical thinking, research and time management according to one of the coaches of St Mary High School, Shellyann Reid.
Although the trio of Shamar Ramballie, Tia Pryce and Rojaine Murray of St Mary Technical High School presented strong arguments, the trio of Lincoln Brown, Roshane Sortie and Abigale Bradley from St Mary High School, emerged as victors.
According to chief judge, Linda Sutherland-Hinds, the two teams gave an excellent debate. She pointed out that it was evident that “St Mary High School did a lot of research,” and they hardly read and they argued. The other two judges for the final were parish manager of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Travis Graham and detective sergeant Glendale Murdock.
Best speaker of the debate match, Lincoln Brown was elated at the victory.
Second speaker of the St Mary High School team, Roshane Sortie also praised his coaches, teachers Shellyann Reid and Roberta Miller.
Third speaker, Abigale Bradley said that the team was now focused on the Area II debate competition that is scheduled to commence next year.
Annotto Bay High School automatically walked away with the third place prize as Marymount High School did not participate in that match due to examinations.
Head of the Area II police, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Fitz Bailey commended the organizers of the debating competition as it brought out “the latent talent” that existed in the students to be molded.
For his part, head of the St Mary police, deputy superintendent (DSP) Dwight Powell congratulated the students participating in the competition. He said that St Mary was now experiencing a 90 percent reduction in crime and he noted that the police would continue to partner with the various stakeholders in the parish.
DSP Lorraine Elliston, who is in charge of the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) gave the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the various sponsors. Sub-officer in charge of CSSB, sergeant Rochelle McGibbon was the chairperson of the competition.
The main sponsors of the competition were the Ocho Rios and Port Maria branches of the First Regional Cooperative Credit Union which provided medals, trophies and cash prizes.
The other sponsors were International University of the Caribbean (IUC), Couples Ochi Rios, Beaches Ochi Rios, Nadean Catering Services, the Anglican Church Hall, Camille Marshall and Danny Lawrence.
Pic 1: The winning St Mary High School team: (from left), coaches, Shellyann Reid and Roberta Miller and debaters, Abigale Bradley, Roshane Sortie and Lincoln Brown, receiving their prizes from head of the St Mary police, DSP Dwight Powell. Also sharing in the moment is Marsha Simpson, team leader at First Regional Cooperative Credit Union.
