For high school students on the Kootenay debate team, competing in the Law Foundation Cup on Vancouver Island earlier this month was more than just a tournament, it was a pivotal experience that will shape their future in learning and debating Canadian law.
Students from JL Crowe Secondary and Nelson's LV Rogers travelled to the prestigious event from Feb. 28 to March 3 to take part in the provincial championships.
The annual tournament brings together eight regions from across British Columbia, with debate teams competing for top honours in the province.
"It is an avenue for learning about the law, investigating and unpacking the nuances of the Charter, and communicating the importance of our Canadian social contract," explained Crowe's teacher sponsor, Marilyn Lunde.
She also credited the Debate and Speech Association of BC for fostering public discourse in a civil and structured manner, saying it encourages skills that might otherwise be lacking in today's society.
This year, the event took place at Brentwood College in Mill Bay, a stunning coastal setting that set the stage for intense debate rounds.
The West Kootenay contingent joined teams from Prince George, Kelowna, Vancouver Island, and four Lower Mainland regions to compete in a series of thought-provoking debates.
The West Kootenay region was well represented by five local teams, four of which hailed from JL Crowe.
The senior teams included Trinity Schneider and Dean Sutherland, as well as Noah Shuparski and Kali Harkness.
Junior participants were Andrew Stach and Matthew Morris, along with Stella Vanness and Grace Savill.
Representing LV Rogers was senior team Roclyn Gallicano and Monique Chica.
In addition to the competitors, five students, including student coach and judge Liam Skeoch, along with Emma Ford, Paulo Miranda Torres, Katia Miranda Torres, and Lucia Marrugo Hernandez, attended the event.
Three of these students stepped in as substitutes when needed due to illness or missing team members.
A particular highlight was Skeoch's impressive "ironman" performance, where he singlehandedly debated as a two-person team in three rounds, while also fulfilling his judging duties.
The competition featured a variety of motions, including legal and policy-based topics.
Both junior and senior participants tackled the motion: "Be it resolved that out-of-court settlements for workplace harassment and discrimination be banned."
Other topics ranged from social media and political discipline to facial recognition technology and employment policies.
The tournament culminated in a grand final where two teams from Crofton House debated the motion: "This house regrets the narrative that the passage of time invariably leads to progress."
Lunde said the opposition team claimed victory after a dynamic exchange of arguments.
Reflecting on the competition, she remarked, "A robust discussion ensued, leaving us feeling that even small individual tasks can make a difference, as opposed to being overwhelmed by the impossibility of fixing our world."
Brentwood College, including its "Centre for Innovation and Learning" and the "Centre for Arts and Humanities," provided an inspiring environment for the event.
"The large theatre and window-encased dining hall provided a jaw-dropping setting for connections to be made," Lunde said. "Students were awed by the expansiveness of the school, the outstanding coastal setting, and the welcoming hosts."
She also emphasized the crucial role of the BC Law Foundation in making the tournament possible, stating, "Watch for continued JL Crowe participation in subsequent tournaments and events. Community engagement is always encouraged as these students navigate their public speaking journey."
