Home/ Debate Competition
St. Ann's Bay High and Prep. Advance to Debate Finals
The Preparatory department of the St. Ann’s Bay High & Prep. School Debating Team prayed for success over their opponent St. Ann’s Bay Primary and their prayers were answered last Tuesday, as they advanced with 52 points to the Parish Finals to be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
Teachers and students alike were in a jubilant mood after what could be described as a ‘nerve-wracking’ competition between the schools as team members: Tajay Fanus, Simone Fearon, and Shanique Mckenzie, claimed victory with 337 to their opponent's 285 points.
“Throughout the match we were pretty nervous but we were prepared and we did our best,” said Tajay Fanus.
Miss Curline Gordon, the Senior Coach for the team, expressed her relief on winning, “We trained very hard for each competition; it took a lot of sacrifice and training, but it was worth it.”
Based on the observations of the debate, Mr. Robert Leon, Service Department Supervisor at Scotiabank, St. Ann’s Bay Branch explained, “It was very thrilling, the passion that the students bring to the table and the whole camaraderie, it is tremendous. The students had limited time to prepare, just about a week, and when you look at the amount of work they put in at this level it is pretty amazing!”
Scotiabank Jamaica Limited, the main sponsor of the Inter-Preparatory/Primary School Debate, in partnership with the Education Ministry, began the competition at the start of the school year in 2006, with an aim to heighten public awareness of HIV/AIDS.
At the St. Ann Parish Finals, March 18, St. Ann’s Bay Preparatory will face Bethany Primary and the Grand Finals will be held on May 27, 2009. The venues will be announced at a later date.
In preparation for the next round, Miss Gordon states, “We are cautiously optimistic and very confident.”
Story by Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher
|
