KES Hosts Sixth Annual Debate Invitational

Last weekend, King’s-Edgehill School (KES) proudly hosted over 90 debaters, moderators, judges, and coaches from across the province for the sixth annual KES Debate Invitational. The event was a thrilling showcase of intellect, ambition, and camaraderie. The halls were packed with debaters fervently prepping before engaging in discussions on complex global issues, philosophical dilemmas, and the kind of problems that defy definitive solutions. Almost the entirety of the Nova Scotia debate circuit came alive on our campus, creating an atmosphere of energy and inspiration.

All KES debaters excelled, not only showcasing their captivating presentations and intellectual prowess but also exemplifying dignity and respect throughout the tournament. Our senior team of Will Larder '26, Julien Gingras '27, and Mollybeth Dickinson '26 secured third place; with Julien placing fifth and Will placing seventh individually. Meanwhile, our junior team, consisting of Ruari Ryan '29, Alethea Cheng '29, and Hyatt Endres '28, also clinched third place, with Ruari earning recognition as the fifth individual speaker. 

We are immensely proud of our newest debaters, Nathan Woo '28, G Siu-Porter '27, Hyatt Endres, and Fatima Guzman Nuñez '26, who competed in their first-ever debate tournament. They demonstrated remarkable potential and growth over four rounds, setting the stage for future success. Additionally, we are excited to welcome Victoria Walsh '30, Tracy Dong '28, Alonso De la Fuente Barradas '28, Sebastian Amezquita Hermosillo '27, and Isabelle Sampson '28, who also joined our debate family this term. Their dedication and impressive results at this weekend’s tournament are a testament to their hard work. A special shoutout also goes to Alex Graham '25 now in his graduation year and a long-time member of our debate community since Junior School, who supported the tournament as a swing debater, delivering strong results in the tabs and embodying the spirit of leadership and teamwork.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who made this event possible. To our student moderators, timekeepers, and members of the honour guard, thank you for stepping up and ensuring the tournament’s smooth operation despite your busy schedules. To our leadership, faculty, alumni, and community members, your support, time, and effort, especially on a Sunday, were instrumental in the success of this event. We are especially grateful to our Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram for his inspiring words of welcome and his dedication as a judge for the entire day. Special thanks also go to our cafeteria staff for keeping everyone nourished and energized throughout the day.

Finally, a huge thank you to our debate coaches, Ms. Jenna Pennington and Mr. Nick Szymanis, for your guidance, leadership, and countless hours of preparation that made this tournament such a success.

Debate meets every Thursday from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm in Ms. Pennington’s room in the Senior School. Whether you’re a seasoned debater or just curious to give it a try, all are welcome – no experience needed! 

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s keep the momentum going!