The Anatol Rodgers High School Debating Team smiling for the camera before debating against Government High School at the Southwestern Debate competition held on Thursday 5th  November. Pictured L-R are: Mr. Kemel Mitchell, Miss Doniska Taylor and Miss Falesha Johnson

Anatol Rodgers captured the win against Government High School at the Southwestern District annual debate held on November 5th at A.F. Adderley Junior High School Gymnasium. The teams put forth compelling arguments to support their perspective on the topic: "Be it resolved that the Government of The Bahamas Should Legalize Marijuana." After an hour of intense debate, the judges awarded Government High School (The Opposition) with 301 points and Anatol Rodgers High School (The Proposition) with 329 points. Mr. Kemel Mitchell, third speaker for Anatol Rodgers and the only young man in the competition, was awarded overall best speaker.

District Superintendent Julian V. Anderson remarked that, "The art of debate is critically important for our students. It fosters critical thinking and it fosters teamwork. Every year I try to encourage our young men and women to participate in what I believe to be an invaluable extracurricular activity."

In January, Anatol Rodgers High School will advance to the Zone Competitions, which will include sixteen public and independent schools. For the first time, the team that will advance to the Zone Competition for the Southwestern District will be comprised of a mixed team of the best students and coaches from a few different schools in the area; a strategy that district teams from Grand Bahama have used in previous years.

The Government High School Debating Team looking calm and collected at the Southwestern Debate competition held on Thursday 5th November. Pictured L-R are: Miss Perenique Kemp, Miss Jael Peters and Miss Makia Munroe [Photo: Aletha Cooper]

The Anatol Rodgers High School Debating Team smiling for the camera before they debate against Government High School at the Southwestern Debate competition held on Thursday 5th  November. Pictured L-R are: Mr. Kemel Mitchell, Miss Doniska Taylor and Miss Falesha Johnson

Best Speaker and the only male student in the competition, Mr. Kemel Mitchell, proposing the motion that marijuana should be legalized in The Bahamas at the Southwestern Debate Competition held on Thursday 5th, November.

The Southwestern District Debate winners pose with their medals on Thursday November 5th after defeating the team from Government High School at the Southwestern District Debate Competition. Pictured Back Row: District Superintendent, Mr. Julian V. Anderson, Coaches; Mrs. Sharon Scavella and Ms. Lakell Johnson, Mr. Kemel Mitchell, Reserve Debater, Miss Falesha Johnson, Miss Doniska Taylor and Assistant Director of Education Ms. Patronella Rolle [Photos: Aletha Cooper]