Young people should take up debating -- even if they are shy, the Island's top debaters concluded this week.

Fresh from their victory as the top senior team, Saltus One told The Royal Gazette debating is an excellent way to learn and develop into a confident person.

"Young people should most definitely get into debating,'' Kahlilah Robinson said. "You learn so much and you learn to do things you would never expect.'' She added: "The benefits of debating are tremendous. You meet people and you have a lot of exposure.'' She was speaking days after her team of Eli Lipschultz and Suelan Veale won the Victoria Cox Memorial Trophy at the Bermuda Debate Society National Championships at the Bermuda College.

They defeated Bermuda High School for Girls Senior Team Two in a close match.

"Debating is good, but not for everybody,'' Suelan Veale said. "Some people if they are completely nervous, it might not be for them but they should at least try.'' "It teaches how to think on one's feet,'' she added, "and how to look at something or both sides of a situation with an open mind.'' Of the victory, Suelan said: "I was shocked. I had to stop and think which side we were fighting for -- whether we were the Government or Opposition side.'' Eli said: "It was a good victory in that we went through so much. We went on a college tour of Canada, then Kalilah went away. We prepared a lot during the last week.'' "Debating teaches the ability to develop and present an argument,'' he added.

Winner of the top middle school debater, Warwick Academy student Whitney Darrell said young people should join debate teams for the exposure they might gain.

"If you like to speak publicly, then debate is a great opportunity,'' the 13 year old from Southampton said. "But you have to enjoy arguing and speaking in public.'' She added: "It boosts your confidence and teaches you good eye contact with people.'' Warwick's middle school team is still in its early stages of formation, she said, boasting: "We did well together, though. We only just got together and considering the communication we did extremely well.''