SHAWNIGAN VERSUS BRENTWOOD: An EVENT REMINICENT OF THE QUARTER QUELL

Rugby fields turn to war-torn wastelands with blood, shredded tendons, and the odd appendage scattered across the pitch, a bleak reminder of a game between the Torch and the Stag . Rowing competitors look upon each other with utter contempt; to merely call one another dirt would be an outrageous compliment. Obviously there are tensions between these two behemoth boarding schools, but they are ones that can be eased thanks to THE BRENTWOOD AND SHAWNIGAN DEBATE TOURNAMENT EXTRAVAGNAZA. Competitors from both respected boarding schools arrived in the Arts building of Brentwood College campus last week to both stimulate their intellectual interests and compete in a friendly debate tournament. With the challenging topic of “Be it resolved that all prisoners in Canada should have their right to vote revoked” to be decided, it was clear that both opposition and proposition teams would have to handle arguments tactfully and persuasively to steer this loaded topic into their respectful direction and, in turn, win the debate. Although this was a relaxed and comfortable environment in which both schools could participate without stress or worry and speak freely, certain debaters involved were of national caliber: Afyz M, Privett ‘17 and Kavi G, Whittall ’17 are two tiny grade nine boys who have achieved the truly impressive accomplishment of earning a position at the coveted National Debate Championships.  With the skilled coordinating duo of debate captains Chantei M, Hope ‘14 and Liam K, Ellis ‘14 these two rival schools remembered that actually the colours of their respective school’s emblems did not result in immediate enemies, and these two sides were able to interact cordially and have many pleasantries exchanged. Despite Hayden L’s, Privett ‘15 adamant suggestions that Brentwood make this tournament a “no holds barred table match” the debate ran almost as smoothly as Reid A’s, Whittall ‘15 river of a hairstyle. With style and panache the obviously well-trained Shawnigan participants spoke their arguments with conviction against their debating adversaries who, thanks to the teaching excellence of Mrs. Steele-MacInnis and Mr. Bryant, were well-equipped with various rebuttal tactics potent enough to combat the firepower brought by their opponents. Brentwood would like to formally thank Shawnigan for accepting our invitation to this successful bout of debates and their involved performances and participation when the time came to show their verbal skills. You can call this tournament Mr. Fox, not because it was directed by Wes Anderson, but because it was fantastic. Toby CH, Privett ‘15