Debate team competes at provincial tournament

On February 27th, 2026, the debate team went to Appleby College to participate in the provincial debate tournament. We had four students from our school qualify for this tournament during the regional debate tournament.

Our school brought one judge, Mr. Luchak, and our four debaters: Aswati Cheruvalath, Nandhana Abhilash, Navjot Kaur, and Navroop Mondair. Mr. Luchak, the head debate teacher, put in a lot of effort training these competitors every Thursday after school.

When asked about her experience, Abhilash said, “​It was an amazing experience, though it felt pretty different from BP Provincials. Having it span across two full days was really exciting because it gave the whole event more of an immersive vibe. The venue was absolutely massive, and meeting so many new people made the weekend feel like a constant highlight. It was definitely one of those unforgettable experiences that sticks with you.”

Abhilash also mentioned how timings could have been planned better. She said, “​Because the school was so huge and the layout was kind of a maze, we spent way too much time just wandering around trying to find our assigned rooms. It was a bit of a struggle to get from one round to the next without feeling rushed, but I guess I’ve learned my lesson for next year!”

One of the prepared rounds included the resolution, “This house would grant legal personhood to major natural ecosystems such as rivers, forests, and coral reefs.” Resolutions like these help create awareness about our environment and promote change.

When asked about the best part of this tournament, Abhilash said, “​The debating itself was easily the best part, especially that feeling of finally ‘getting in the zone.’ There’s a specific kind of focus that hits when you're mid-round and everything else just fades out while you're building your case. I also really liked the food they provided; it was a nice break and actually gave us some energy to keep going through the long sessions. Those moments where everything just clicks are exactly why I love doing this.”

Overall the tournament was a great success, and our team gained experience, represented our school, and had a wonderful time throughout the tournament.