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2021 E.C. Leslie Provincial Debate Championships

A wonderful end to a successful online debate season.

This year, our Provincial Championship was a two-day event including 64 talented debaters, 50 volunteer judges, 7 tournament staff/volunteers, and 40 observers. While there was no banquet or hall flled rambunctious applause , all attendees brought energy and enthusiasm to our celebration. Everyone made good use of the Zoom react buttons.   

The debate community is grateful for the commitment and generosity of our volunteer judges. It would not be possible without you. Elementary Division Results

Beginner Speakers 1. Ibrahim H., Greystone Heights School 2. Luke M., Home Educated Debaters 3. Mehtab B., Greystone Heights School

Beginner Teams 1. Ibrahim H. & Mehtab B., Greystone Heights School 2. Sophie B. & Luke M., Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters 3. Sarah W. & Sumaysha W., Sylvia Fedoruk School

Intermediate Speakers 1. Samuel W., Greystone Heights School 2. Abhinav M., Dr. John G. Egnatoff School 3. Lucas L., Greystone Heights School

Intermediate Teams 1. Lucas L. & Samuel W., Greystone Heights School 2. Abhinav M. & Lucas B., Dr. John G. Egnatoff School & Ecole Silverspring 3. Aaleyah A. & Bilal A., Sylvia Fedoruk School High School Divisions

Novice Speakers 1. Simrah I., & Misbah School Debate Club 2. Fizza A., 3. Gurleen K., Bedford Road Collegiate

Novice Teams 1. Simrah I. & Taha I., Evan Hardy Collegiate & Misbah School Debate Club 2. Abdullah A. & Gurleen K., Bedford Road Collegiate

Open Speakers 1. Victor W., 2. Carrick P., Walter Murray Collegiate 3. Kaia B., Walter Murray Collegiate

Top Grade 9 Open Speaker Will S.,

Open Teams 1. Victor W. & Carrick P., Walter Murray Collegiate 2. Bridget S. & Kaia B., Walter Murray Collegiate 3. Aditya K. & Hamza S., Bedford Road Collegiate

Refections From the 2021 Youth Volunteer Award Recipient

The Youth Volunteer Award recognizes youth who go beyond just competing and work to build the debate community.

My name is Hamza Saghir and I am the “coach” for the Bedford Road Club. When my family and I moved to , I didn’t speak English very well, so I joined debate at my elementary school. Debate, empowered me by building my trust in the value of my thoughts and my ability to effectively express them.

Since I had benefted from debate, I wanted to pass it on and empower others in my position so I decided to start a club at my high school. I think for new debaters, the most valuable lessons they learn are critical thinking, contextualization of ideas, and providing impacts for argumentation. By participating in debate, people fnd their voice which is important because learning to organize their thoughts and to make them persuasive is challenging.

In my club, we learn to look beyond arguing with examples and really engage with the principles behind them. At provincials last year, the story came full circle for me as I watched two girls from my club win top speakers and top team. Much like myself, at the beginning of the year, they were shy and reluctant to share their opinions. Watching them grow and fnd their voice through debate was very fulflling. Our debate club is now in its third year and the team has grown to over 18 debaters. I feel proud knowing that I am helping kids from a similar background and empowering them to share their opinions.

-Hamza S., Grade 12, Bedford Road Collegiate SHED Spirit of Debate Award

The SHED Spirit of Debate Awards recognize debaters of outstanding character who are role models and leaders in their club and within the debate community. They demonstrate excellence in all they do, enthusiasm for debate, inclusiveness, initiative, sportsmanship and integrity. Recipients are selected by the debaters and coaches within each club and are recognized by the SEDA Board.

Elementary Nominees Luke B., Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters Leah L., Sylvia Fedoruk Debate Club

Elementary Winner Brady K., Saltcoats School

High School Winner Taha I., Evan Hardy School & Misbah School Debate Club

National Debate Competitions

Every Spring there are three National Debate Competitions for qualifed debaters. The following students will be representing Saskatchewan at these national events.

Good luck and have fun!

Senior High Canadian National Debating Championships - April 16th - 18th Victor W. & Carrick P., Walter Murray Collegiate Bridget S. & Kaia B., Walter Murray Collegiate

Junior High Canadian National Debating Championships - Date TBD Lucas L. & Samuel W., Greystone Heights School Abhinav M. & Lucas B., Dr. John G. Egnatoff School & Ecole Silverspring

National Team Tryouts for the 2022 Canadian National Team - May 22nd - 24th Rafay A., Walter Murray Collegiate Sahasro B., Isabelle M., Bedford Road Collegiate

2021 National Student Debating Seminar

Annually, the Canadian Student Debating Federation holds the National Debating Seminar. The seminar aims to expose students to the art of debating while providing an opportunity for cultural exchange between young people from all regions of the country. Delegates attend debate and thematic workshops, debate in practice rounds critiqued by experienced coaches, and wrap it up with a fun tournament. Seminar is about educational debate, non competitive debate.

C.S.D.F. embraces both of Canada’s ofcial languages, offering students the opportunity to attend the Seminar as English, French or Bilingual delegates.

To be eligible to attend a Seminar as a delegate, a student: 1. Must be in Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 during the academic year of the Seminar 2. Must not have attended a previous Seminar as a delegate 3. Must not have participated in a previous National or International Event.

The 2021 National Debating Seminar will be held virtually from September 30th to October 3rd, 2021. There is a $50 registration fee. The theme is Reconciliation: Making the Calls to Action a Reality. You can fnd more details on our website HERE.

If you are interested in attending this event, please contact the ofce at [email protected] by April 30th.

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The Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association is a non-proft organization that helps children and youth be effective communicators, deep thinkers, and engaged community members.

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