Saucer Debate Brings Best & Brightest Speakers to RSGC

This annual tradition brings together debating and public speaking skills and offers students from independent schools the chance to test their skills in a challenging environment. RSGC’s annual tournament is presented by Fulford League, a league of independent schools across Ontario that sponsors Junior and Senior debating events in the Parliamentary and Cross-Examination styles. This year, students from Branksome, University of Toronto Schools, Villanova, and White Oaks participated in the RSGC event. 

 

There are two components to the Saucer tournament: the debate and the declamation.  This year’s debate topic was “The House Will Tax the Rich More.” Students competed in teams consisting of a minimum of two people. Each team prepared arguments on the impact of a 5% incremental income tax increase, from the perspective of both the Government and the Opposition. Thirty student volunteers from RSGC participated in moderating and debating at the event.

 

During the speaking event, or declamation, each competitor read aloud a speech given by a famous historical orator (such as Pierre Trudeau, Winston Churchill, Oliver Cromwell, Emmeline Pankhurst and others), maintaining the spirit of the original while putting his or her personal stamp on it. As part of their introduction, each student spoke about why they chose that particular speech. Among Saturday’s speakers were Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, Steve Jobs, Ronald Reagan, Amelia Earhart, William Faulkner and many others.

 

The volunteer judges for the tournament came mostly from RSGC’s parent and alumni community. Volunteers are always thrilled to see the skills of the student speakers and often return to judge year after year.

 

The winner of the coveted Saucer trophy was the University of Toronto Schools, for the second year in a row. Congratulations to all the amazing student speakers on a job well done!