A debating team of two for the past four years representing the Yorkton Regional High School, grade twelve 17 year-olds Madison Bomboir and Brandyn Rodgerson said the activity is hard work which pays off.
The team placed well - 3rd in the Open Senior category, as well as Rodgerson receiving 1st place for Senior Speaker category October 29 at the Y.R.H.S., which hosted the 1st Round Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association (SEDA) Debate Tournament.
Rodgerson said about his win, "It feels really good. It was a lot of preparation. It was a lot of hard work it's just a matter of getting comfortable with speaking in public and using your body language and your tone."
Research and knowing the "ins and outs" of every debate is required, he said. "You have to be prepared."
For this particular debate, the resolution was that consequences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act will increase significantly.
"For proposition we were arguing that changes need to be made in the YCJA. And we believe that we don't necessarily need the harsher punishments but we need more meaningful consequences for youth. In contrast, on opposition side, we believe that the YCJA is not really a problem, but there's a lack of funding so it can't provide the services that it wants to," explained Rodgerson.
Both students agreed they debate because it helps their futures, "I think it can help a lot with applying to universitiesany time there's an opportunity to public speak it will really help," said Bomboir.
The event collected 50 teams from several schools in southern Saskatchewan, with students from grades five to 12 competing.
Volunteers acted as judges, moderators, timekeepers, and general organizers.
Two more rounds will be held, then provincials, then nationals.
