Bermuda High School has emerged victorious in the Bermuda Debate Society's second annual Bermuda Schools Debate Competition.

The tournament, between CedarBridge Academy, Saltus Grammar School, Warwick Academy and Bermuda High School, was organised by the Bermuda Debate Society, a non-profit organisation that promotes debate among the Island's pupils.

Bermuda High School won the championship by defeating CedarBridge in the final last Monday at the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society's Daylesford Theatre.

The final motion, "This House believes that the United States should promote democracy worldwide," was proposed by CedarBridge Academy and opposed by Bermuda High School.

Debating for Bermuda High School in the final were Aliyyah Ahad, Luisa Olander and Stephanie Smith.

Catherine Campbell and Nikki Marshall were also members of the Bermuda High School team, although they did not debate in the final round.

Anthony Howell, Ivan Sanchez and Lela Sujani debated for CedarBridge Academy.

The four competing senior school teams gathered at CedarBridge Academy and Bermuda High School for the first four rounds of the competition.

The first and third rounds were impromptu, meaning teams received the debate motions at the competition and had only one hour to prepare their cases before debating in front of the judges.

The motion debated in the second and fourth rounds was given to the teams weeks in advance to give them ample time to prepare their arguments concerning whether or not "This House would use affirmative action in response to historic injustice".

Bermuda High School won three of the first four rounds, while CedarBridge Academy and Saltus Grammar School each won two of the first four rounds, leaving the decision of which team would advance to the final, dependent upon points earned in the debates.

Jennifer Haworth, president of the Bermuda Debate Society (BDS), said: "We are pleased that the Bermuda Schools Debate Competition was a great success once again.

"We commend all the schools that participated and extend special congratulations to the team from Bermuda High School, the new 2008 champions!"

Additionally, BDS has thanked CedarBridge Academy, the Bermuda High School and the BMDS, each of which hosted various rounds of the tournament, which made it possible.

"BDS would like to thank all the students who participated, the judges who volunteered their time to help the students improve their skills, and the coaches who work tirelessly to train these students year round," a BDS press release stated.

"(BDS) would also like to thank CITV who generously agreed to film and air the debate final, which can be seen on Tuesday, March 11, at 12.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m."

BDS is responsible for the Bermuda National Debating Team, which recently travelled to Seoul, South Korea to represent the Island in the World School Debating Championships.

The society believes the skill of debating is advantageous for all students and enhances their potential role as active citizens.

For more information on how to get involved, log onto www.debate.bm.