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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 9, 2019
Mackenzie High takes coveted title --at JOF Haynes inter-secondary debating competition
MACKENZIE High took the coveted title this year at the annual JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Debating Competition, hosted countrywide every year by the Ministry of Education. The event, which was held at the Theatre Guild, saw Mackenzie High of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), going up against Anna Regina Secondary of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), both of which successfully won their regional debates and secured their place in the finals. The competition is usually done in several stages, with the first seeing students from each school de-
bating among themselves internally, with one team emerging victorious to represent their school. In Phase Two, the schools battle other schools in their respective districts to find the group to represent their region. In the final phase, the regional representatives go head-to-head for the title. This year, the finalists had the task of debating the topic, “Is reducing emission from deforestation and degradation important to the development of Guyana’s Economy”, and saw Anna Regina proposing the moot, and Mackenzie High opposing it. Both teams presented
their points in a strong and robust way, convincing both audience and judges that their view was the one they should believe, giving their opponents a real battle to rebut their points. The debaters in this year’s final leg of the competition were Swasti Saytoo, Duvina Seurattan, and Emilia Martinborough, with Shane Samaroo on standby, all of Anna Regina Secondary; and Royston Lester, Ayesha King, and Angelique DeJonge, with McAle McRae on standby from Mackenzie High. The title of Best Speaker went to Mackenzie High’s Ayesha King, who, in telling of her experience while
Locked in discussion on the merits and demerits of reducing CO2 emissions are, from left, Emilia Martinborough, Duvina Seurattan, and Swasti Saytoo of Anna Regina Secondary; and Angelique DeJonge, Ayesha King, and Royston Lester of Mackenzie High
During the final leg of the JOF Haynes 2019 Inter-Secondary Debating Competition (Photos by Delano Williams)
training for the competition said that while it was very intense she was able to grasp additional knowledge in the use of English language, and was able to build her own self confidence as it relates to public speaking. Asked about her reaction to not only being a part of the winning team, but also being named ‘Best Speaker’, the teen said, “I’m so happy that we won the finals; it was so nerve-wracking sitting there for what seemed like years, while we awaited the judges’ deliberation. At this point, I’m just so excited. Being in this competition changed me. When I started, I was very scared to… like raise my voice and so on, but as we went, I got more and more en-
couraged to do it. I don’t even sing, and I stood proudly today to sing.” King further related that she would encourage any student to take up debating, as it is a great tool to utilise for self-development. Both schools were awarded prizes and trophies from Sol Guyana, Metro Office Supplies, and The Ministry of Education. The winning team, in addition to their trophies and prizes, were also rewarded with a cheque on behalf of Sol Guyana Inc. and a computer system, compliments of Metro Office Supplies.
Women in Business Expo to be launched soon THE 5th Annual Women in Business Expo will be launched on Thursday November 21, 2019, at the Pegasus Hotel. The event is being hosted by the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD). In a statement, SNFCA said the launch will kick off with a press conference, followed by a two-day mini exhibition open to the public.
“This will be a treat for persons looking for holiday ideas for unique gifts, home decor and that exclusive outfit etc. for the holidays,” the foundation said. “Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX) will be held around that time in Guyana and it will give visitors the opportunity to shop for local products,” it further added. The 2020 Women in Business Expo will be held on March 22 and March 23,
2020 at the Pegasus Hotel, during Women’s History month. INSPIRE YOU motivational event will climax the weekend’s activities, the foundation said. “Last year, we made phenomenal inroads. Over seventy (70) exhibitors from across Guyana participated in the EXPO, inclusive of a number of first-time exhibitors. This year we wish to make our fifth edition a true celebration of entrepreneurship, position-
ing the entrepreneurs a step closer to their goals,” Noel pointed out. She added that, recently, eleven of the expo’s participants showcased at three US based platforms - the Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo, at Miami Carnival and at Bronze Kingdom in Orlando. Some of these businesses have secured markets, as a result of those engagements, she said. “We are tremendously proud
of these inroads,” Noel said in the statement. Proprietor of Leisa Salon and Beauty Supplies said that being involved in Women in Business Expo had allowed her business to grow. “We have seen tremendous growth in our manufactured natural products from one product to several products. The training before the expo had prepared us to be able to interact with the customers on the day of the expo and onwards. The expo had helped the busi-
ness to grow,” Leisa Gibson shared. SNFCA will also be hosting STYLE MISSION 2019 in aid of the victims returning home from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. This charity will be held in the Savannah Suite, at Pegasus, on November 24.