The Anguilla Literary and Debating Society of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School maintained its well-known outstanding performance when its six-member team won the 40th Annual Leeward Islands’ Debating Competition (LIDC) on Sunday, February 26.
The February 23-26 Competition was hosted by Anguilla Literary and Debating Society at the Rodney Mac Arthur Rey Auditorium. The Society’s team comprised Dayna Fleming, Dee-Ann Rogers, Jose Vanterpool,Mikeela Skellekie,SenegalCarty and Zipporah Bannister.
Anguilla won the final debate of the competition with a score of 634 points, whileAntiguaplaced second with 559 points. Anguilla was the winner of three of the five debates and the other two were won byAntigua. Senegal Carty, ofAnguilla, who was adjudged Best Speaker at Sunday night’s final debate, with a score of 117 points, also won Overall Best Speaker.
The five Best Speakers during the entire competition were listed as follows: debate 1: Patrick Walters (St. Kitts); debate 2: Zipporah Bannister (Anguilla); debate 3: Jojo Instiful (Antigua); debate 4: Mikeela Skeellekie (Anguilla); and debate 5: Senegal Carty (Anguilla).
The topics debated were as follows: Thursday, February 23: The IMF isthe answer to the financial crisis in the Caribbean (Antiguavs. St. Kitts);
Friday, February 24: Consistent growth and the international recognition strongly suggest that reggae is a superior art form tocalypso (Anguilla vs. St. Martin); Saturday, February 25 (two debates): Compulsory education is an unnecessary burden to Caribbean Governments (Antigua vs. Nevis); Tourism has outlived its usefulness asa catalyst for the development of the region (Anguilla vs. Montserrat; Sunday, February 26: The United States’ Government is the world’s greatest terrorist organisation (Antigua vs. Anguilla).
The opening ceremony was held on Thursday, February 23, and chaired by Bren Romney, Past President of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) Council. The programme included remarks by Shamar Gaskin, President of the ALHCS Student Government Association; Mrs. Ingrid Lake, Principal, ALHCS; Dr. George Irish, Founder of the Leeward Islands’ Debating Competition (via video from the United States); and Minister of Education, Edison Baird.
The closing ceremony, on Sunday night, February 26, was chaired by Dr.Patwin Adams. Attorney Thomas Astaphan, a member of the team of Judges, speaking on behalf of his colleagues and himself, praised all the debaters for the high level of their presentations. Both former Principal, Yolande Richardson, who was one of the Judges for Best Speaker, and Quincia Gumbs, President of the ALHCS Literary and Debating Society, also commended theAnguillateam and the teams of the other islands for their performances.
The winners of the various prizes were announced by Graduate Teacher Michele Queeley and the awards were presented by Principal of the ALHCS, Mrs. Ingrid Lake.
