Let’s Talk

11 November 2013Jackson H

On Friday, October 25th, the advent of verbal pugilism was apparent at Brentwood, as seven different, yet commonly driven debate teams, came to compete in Brentwood’s 3rd Annual Novice Debate Tournament. The seven different teams encompassed a wide range of students; however, their qualms were eased as their competition was chosen according to age class: Junior vs. Junior, Senior vs. Senior. In the junior rounds, the cross-examination structure was used to introduce the theme of constructive arguing to the anxious and vocally untested. For an elongated five minutes, each junior debater expanded upon their contentions. Expectedly, Brentwood rose to the occasion. Where stress and anxiety repeatedly derailed opponent’s arguments and ratiocination, for Brentwood’s junior debaters these were mere speed bumps on the road to success. Calm, cool, collected, and victorious they were. Topping the team charts was a pair of debaters so enticed by the glory of winning that they did it: Connor C and Liam B of Brentwood earned the win, respectably, but not easily. Nipping at their heels was another team formally acquainted with nervousness and pressure: Emma F and Toria E, also of Brentwood, who strongly secured second place. Third place was earned by an excellent team from Glenlyon Norfolk but was the only non-Brentwood placing for junior teams. Individual recognitions were awarded to our very own Connor C and Toria E, and the third award was presented to a deserving student of Glenlyon Norfolk School. Break time, both mental and physical, was accompanied by pizza, cookies, and social mixing. Tension in the air there was, as the senior students subtly prepared for the inevitability of their debates between light conversations with students who would soon come to form their opposition. The senior rounds, guided by the Canadian National Debate Format, upped the ante significantly. Senior novice debaters presented powerfully for a maximum of eight minutes. The individual winners of commendation were far from unclear. Their eight minutes were filled with elaborated points and supporting evidence: a young woman from Oak Bay and a young man from Shawnigan were awarded first and second individual best speaker awards. Finally, and most importantly, third place: Berit B, of Brentwood indubitably deserved this award. In the team results, a couple from Oak Bay claimed the trophy. Relentlessly fighting was Brentwood’s unprecedented team of newbies now wearing silver: Sam S, and Tyler P. Behind us, in third place were an intrepid team from Shawnigan. Yes, medals are cool, yet they fail to shed light on the highlight team of the debate: in fifth place stood proudly Brentwood’s most charismatic, and, according to the judges, “calming” team – Jackson H, and Berit B. It is no surprise that we came fifth; in the battle between fifth and sixth place, we controlled the debate. A boxing metaphor would be inadequate in describing our battle of words as our inferior opposition was left concussed. Jackson H, Privett ‘15

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