It was revealed in a press conference at the University of the West Indies Open Campus, on Tuesday October 16th, that the University has set out to support the work of the Literary and Debating Society (LDS) of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in all of its debating endeavours in the future.
The announcement of the new partnership was made by UWI’s Country Manager, Mrs. Phyllis Fleming-Banks. In expressing how pleased she was to commit to the Debating Society, Mrs. Fleming-Banks remarked: “We are delighted to be launching this partnership with the LDS.” She made mention of the fact that the partnership between the Society and the University was actually the brainchild of Ms. Tesia Harrigan, UWI’s Administrative Assistant.
Ms. Harrigan stated: “Essentially, this idea has been brewed from a meeting with UWI’s Alumni Association. We thought about different areas of engaging activities that can involve the community and our youth. We thought that competitive debating was a very rewarding activity in which the ALHCS Debating Society is very much engaged.
“We therefore concluded it would be an excellent idea to propose to our former debaters (or veteran debaters, as they are called) to liaise in a mentorship type of program conducted by the University.”
Ms. Harrigan continued: “This is not just an exciting platform that we can share on topics, but it is more like a mentorship process where younger debaters of the Debating Society can experience the journey with the more seasoned former debaters.”
One such “seasoned debater” at the press conference was Mrs. Nakishma Rogers-Hull, former LDS debater, and currently an Attorney at Law. Mrs. Rogers-Hull reflected: “I have debated in the Leeward Islands Debating Society (LIDS) representing Anguilla in several debating competitions. I was the captain of the team in my final year. I have also represented Anguilla for a number of years in the executive body of the LIDS.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity to give back. Debating has formed a major part of my career and professional development. Probably, it is the reason why I am able to excel in advocacy as an attorney. So, indeed, I am very grateful to assist others in a debating mentorship program. Debating has changed my life. I am therefore hoping that I, along with the other debating veterans, can help to change the lives of other young people as well. I would like to thank the team at UWI for this great idea. The veterans are excited, and we are ready to go.”
On hand at the conference was Ms. Samisha Connor, President of the ALHCS’s Literary and Debating Society, as well as Ms. Destiny Ritchie, Head of Fundraising. Ms. Connor said: “I thank UWI for this great opportunity in their support of our Society. I think this venture will be an amazing one. The current debaters of the Society are poised to learn a lot from the veteran debaters in preparing them for the LIDC event that is soon coming up in Antigua. This mentorship will indeed make us better debaters in the future.” Ms. Richie noted that the newly launched mentoring program, and the partnership with UWI, will encourage more students at the school to become members of the debating club, and it would enable them to develop their public speaking skills.
Mrs. Fleming-Banks remarked that she was indeed encouraged by the initiative. She said that UWI was looking forward to two nights of debating activities involving the ALHC’s Debating Society. The dates for these debates are November 30th and December 1st. On behalf of UWI and the LDS Mrs. Fleming-Banks encouraged the general public to attend these debates at the venue which is to be announced shortly.
