A Bermuda Youth Parliamentarian has won the ‘Best Debater’ award at the 10th Annual Youth Debate held in Barbados on August 1.

Ariana Caines received the top award presented at the debate on Youth Unemployment, which was attended by 31 delegates from countries across the Caribbean.

The debate was part of the 39th Regional Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference of the Caribbean, The Americas and the Atlantic Region.

Ms Caines, a former Head Girl of The Berkeley Institute and first year student at Bermuda College, will be attending the University of Buckingham, England, to study law in September.

She was joined by Dejanee Hill-Edwards, who is a Principal Honour Student entering S3 at The Berkeley Institute and the Bermuda College as a full-time student in the dual enrolment programme.

Ms Caines said: “It was such an honour to represent my country at this year’s CPA Regional Youth Parliament debate.

“I am proud of the showing Dejanee and I made on behalf of Bermuda, and even more excited to bring home the coveted title of Best Debater.”

She added: “It is so humbling to be considered as one of the Caribbean’s talented and promising young adults.

“I am grateful to Youth Parliament for the opportunity to represent my country.”

Ms Hill-Edwards said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that was not taken for granted.

“I was one of the youngest Youth Parliamentarians but I learned so much from the other participants and was inspired by their stories and aspirations.”

She added: “When I return to Youth Parliament in September, I will take what I learned from the conference and implement it into our programme here in Bermuda but more importantly, to better myself as a debater.”

Shadow Minister Derrick Burgess, Government Whip Cole Simons, and Clerk to the Legislature Shernette Wolffe also travelled to the CPA Conference.

Mr Burgess said: “These two young people made me so proud, I was beaming with joy. Their performance was first class.”

He added: “Dejanee presented first and was one of the youngest debaters, she did an excellent job.

“She was followed by Ariana, whom I call Dame Lois (reference to her late iconic grandmother, Dame Lois Browne-Evans), who tore the house down.

“She showed no signs of nervousness and as I looked around the room at the other Caribbean Members of Parliament you could tell that they were very impressed as almost to say, who is this girl and where did she come from?”

Mr Simons said: “Ariana had full command of the subject and full command of the audience.

“She was dynamic and held her own like a professional litigator.

“When she spoke she set the standard for the rest of the debate. She did Bermuda proud.”

He added: “Dejanee is our future; she did extremely well, given her age.

“She was knowledgeable regarding her subject and Bermuda can expect great things from her in the future.”

Owen Darrell, Senior Advisor of the Youth Parliament Bermuda, said: “I have seen them debate many topics well during our Youth Parliament sessions.

“It’s encouraging to know that Youth Parliament Bermuda is preparing our students to be leaders not only in Bermuda, but globally as well.”