Debating tournament showcases impressive skills

Phillip Kong, Year 12 and Benjamin Lee, Year 12
On November 3, Upper Canada College hosted the third annual Pro-Am British Parliamentary Tournament, the largest to date.
The tournament provides a unique opportunity for senior debaters to mentor their younger, more inexperienced counterparts in a competitive environment. 
 
There were 60 teams from across the GTA representing both public and private schools, debate academies, and independent hybrid teams. All debaters performed impressively, especially considering each team had only 15 minutes between knowing the motion and starting the debate. After four bracketed rounds, high-placing teams moved on to semifinals and an eventual grand final. The final motion read “This house supports a world with fully sentient, advanced robots governed by Asimov's Laws”, setting up a fiery debate about the advantages and dangers of robots.
 
UCC boys faired well in the tournament, with Year 12 student Joseph Wu and Randy Chang from Year 9 winning the grand final. Phillip Kong, Year 12, and Gigi Ciarlandini, Year 8, placed 27th overall. 
 
Thanks go to the dedicated faculty members who put in much time and effort to provide this incredible debating opportunity.   
 
Back
The word experience The UCC Difference