Seven young Bermudians are set to travel abroad this week to prove to that they have the gift of gab.

Christine Mayor, Andrew Stoneham, Samantha Flood, Carolyn Tavares and Christie Hunter -- along with reserve debaters Rebecca Lovell-Grant and Johnathan Suter -- will head north to showcase their debating teamwork and verbal skills to Canadians.

The youths will fly to Toronto, Canada today for their first overseas event.

They will spend four days debating against, and on some occasions with, students from St. Andrew's College, just north of Toronto.

Dr. Chris Harris of the Bermuda Debating Society said the Canadian adventure grew out of the developing rapport between the school and the Bermuda debating team.

"This trip is a follow-up to the Bermuda team's visit to St. Andrew's,'' Dr.

Harris explained. "After that initial visit, St. Andrew's came down to Bermuda.

"Hopefully they will came back this fall for a visit.'' Dr. Harris said the youngsters spent the last six weeks preparing for their first foreign debate which will focus on a variety of challenging matters, including "Poverty is a greater ill to society than illiteracy''.

"We don't want to make it too competitive,'' she added. "After all, it is their first time abroad and they may work with some of the other students.''