BERMUDA'S National Debate Team had a strong showing at the prestigious 20th Annual World Schools Debating Competition (WSDC) that took place last week in Washington, DC.

In a field that featured close to 40 different countries, including far off places like Qatar, Bangladesh and Estonia, Bermuda's team beat a formidable opponent and were able to persuade several judges of their debating prowess.

The ten-day competition culminated with England taking home the top prize over New Zealand.

Christianna Hiles, the team's coach, believes that while her group didn't make it to the finals, they "performed extremely well and represented Bermuda with enthusiasm and energy".

This year is believed to be Bermuda's 15th year of participating in the international tournament and considering the impressive competition, Ms Hiles feels the team faired very well.

"We achieved a 3-0 win over India and managed to gain another four judges in other rounds due to split decisions," she explained.

"Each round has three judges, and while we did not win those four rounds, we were able to persuade one judge out of three in four debates that we had the better argument."

The five team members, who had to be between the ages of 14 and 18 years to be eligible to compete, included Catherine Campbell and Nikki-Lynn Marshall from BHS, Jacari Brimmer Landy and Nicholas Rinehimer from Saltus and the team's captain, Michelle Kelly from Mount Saint Agnes.

Each year, the Bermuda Debate Society (BDS) sends a group of four or five senior students, their coach and a judge to the international competition, which is considered to be the premier international debating contest for senior school students.

The competition included eight rounds where Bermuda's team had to present four prepared topics and four impromptu topics that covered subjects ranging from ethics, economics, politics to failing financial institutions, a timely issue considering this week's financial news.

The BDS was created more than 20 years ago in conjunction with the Bermuda Junior Service League out of their annual debate tournaments. Since then, BDS has been the umbrella organisation for debating in Bermuda, dedicating its efforts to developing the art of debating in Bermuda's schools.

"Bermuda's debate team is funded and selected by the Bermuda Debate Society and is made up of students from the various Bermuda senior schools," explained Ms Hiles.

"It is only through the hard work of the Bermuda Debate Society and their fundraising initiatives that we are able to fund a team to represent Bermuda in this competition."

In order to be selected to the elite team, the BDS expects students to participate in regular training sessions with the National Team. "Anyone interested in debating, and or representing their country who is between 14 and 18 years of age should come to National Debate practice starting Monday, September 22 at 4 p.m. at AF Smiths. The team is then selected from those who regularly attend and who have strong general knowledge and powerful debating technique and skills," said Ms Hiles.

According to Ms Hiles, who is also a teacher at Saltus, students who participate in debating learn the art of effective communication, become educated about current topics affecting the world and are exposed to new cultures.

"Skills (that students learn) include critical thinking, deep analysis, how to connect ideas and make effective arguments, use thoughtful logic, statistics, argumentation and confidence to speak and express themselves in front of their peers and adults alike. (The art form) also improves their knowledge and awareness of the world and its issues and (teaches students to) understand and evaluate others' ideas.

"Additionally, the skills learnt in debate and through debating against students from such a variety of religious, ethnic and social backgrounds are immense and endless. Students show growth not just academically but socially as well learning to structure arguments, speak eloquently and evaluate differing points of view," she said.

If an example is needed to illustrate what the debate team has taught Bermuda's young students, last year's team captain, Adam Kiki Charles from Saltus fits the bill. "Adam got into his top choice university ¿ Brown University ¿ and we believe this at least is partly due to his participation in debate and the skills this provided him," said Ms Hiles.

Each November BDS hosts, in collaboration with the Bermuda Junior Service League, a National competition for the island's middle and secondary school students.

"We would like to encourage all students to get involved in their schools middle school and high school debate teams and compete in the Nationals in November," said Ms Hiles.

The Bermuda Debate Society is also appealing for students to get involved now for the next World Schools Debate Competition that is quickly approaching in February 2009.

"The next WSDC will be held in Greece and Team Bermuda is looking to capitalise on the knowledge gained in Washington for a strong showing in 2009. We will be choosing the team to represent Bermuda in Greece over the next couple of months and everyone between the ages of 14-18 is eligible. We'd like to have as many students from as many schools, and home schools participating as possible," she said.

For more information on Bermuda Debate Society or to become involved in the next WSDC, contact Christianna Hiles at chilessaltus.bm. Those interested in helping fund the next WSDC team, contact the BDS president Jennifer Haworth at Jennifer.Haworthconyersdillandpearman.com.