List of 5 news stories.

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  Two CDS Debaters Qualify for Nationals

  On Monday evening this week, five CDS students travelled to Branksome Hall in Toronto to compete in the Ontario qualifiers for public speaking. Students were vying for 8 coveted spots at the National tournament to be held in Winnipeg in February.

   

  They had to compete in four events: parliamentary debate, persuasive speaking, interpretive reading, and impromptu speaking. Our students were outstanding!

   

  Adhya Chandradat '27 competed in her first-ever public speaking tournament and did extremely well, especially owing to the very high calibre of this event. Liam Gunning '27 placed 3rd in debating and 10th overall. Audrey Jiang '26 placed 1st in debating. Diviya Amarnath '25 placed 2nd in persuasive and 7th overall, qualifying her to attend the National tournament in Winnipeg. Ananya Kapur '26 placed 3rd in persuasive speaking, 2nd in impromptu and 8th overall, also qualifying her to attend the National tournament in Winnipeg.

   

  As always, coaches Mrs. Wyndham-West, Mr. Robinson and Mme Davidson are so proud of these students and their hard work preparing for this event.
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  Congratulations to our Debaters!

  Diviya Amarnath ‘25, Jack Brown ‘25 and Ananya Kapur ‘26 were in Bermuda last weekend competing in the 2024 International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC).
  
  

  This year's event was jointly hosted by Bermuda High School and Saltus Grammar School with students and coaches from 35 schools across Canada, the U.S., Bermuda and India competing in the four-day event.

  CDS results were impressive with Jack qualifying and competing in two finals in extemporaneous and persuasive speaking and Ananya qualifying for finals in impromptu speaking.
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  CDS 14th Annual Grade 5 & 6 Public Speaking Competition

  On Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, CDS grade four, five and six students, teachers and families gathered in the Paul C. Duckett theatre to celebrate the accomplishments of our Grade five and six public speakers and acknowledge their hard work and skill in communicating effectively at the 14th Annual CDS Public Speaking Contest. 

   

  Whether they deliver inspiring speeches, informative presentations, or engaging talks, public speakers play a crucial role in sharing ideas and shaping discussions. Through eloquent articulation and confident delivery, students captivated audiences and inspired peers with their powerful words and compelling presence on stage. Their dedication to honing their communication skills has truly paid off, setting a shining example for all.
  
  Photo Gallery
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  CDS Debaters All Advanced to Finals at World Championships

  CDS experienced several firsts last week at the World Individual Debating & Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC) held at Canberra Girls Grammar School in Canberra, Australia.

   

  Ethan Wahba ’24, Millie Steinmann ’25 and Sarah Croxon ’24 competed in a total of eight finals for CDS, with both Ethan and Millie emerging as World Champions.

  
  According to their coach Kerstin Wyndham-West, who has led the debating program for more than 20 years, “We have never had two students win their individual categories in the same year, and all three made it to eight of the possible 12 finals! That is a record for CDS.”

  
  In the individual events, Ethan is World Champion of Interpretive Reading and finished 3rd in Debating, and Millie is World Champion of Persuasive Speaking. Overall Ethan was the 3rd place speaker, Millie was 9th and Sarah was 18th out of 124 students representing 15 countries. 
  
  All three students chose thought-provoking topics and readings to present on. Here some
  highlights:

  
  “For my interpretive reading, I performed the short story Going Grapefruit by Ian Richards. This story follows a man who is hit by a car and incurs a traumatic injury which changes the way his brain processes language, in his new language words take on seemingly random meanings. I chose this piece because it reminds us that understanding others is much more than just the words people use, but rather the tone and emotion that comes with it.” – Ethan Wahba ’24

  
  “I presented a persuasive speech about the hidden dangers of energy drinks, particularly for teenagers. Companies like Red Bull specifically market to young people by hiring college students to handout free drinks on university campuses. I don’t think people realize just how much caffeine is in these drinks. Just one can contains as much as six cans of Coke, way more than the recommended daily allowance of caffeine for kids, which can have a really dangerous effect on your heart and long-term health.” – Millie Steinmann ’25

  
  “My persuasive speech looked at the growing problem of the tipping culture across North America. Ever since the pandemic, it has become a growing issue. I feel people should be able to do what they want when it comes to leaving a gratuity. I really enjoyed writing and performing this speech because it is a topic that everyone can relate to in some way.” – Sarah Croxon ’24
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  World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships

  Exciting news from the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Australia - our three debaters have all advanced to the finals! Ethan Wahba '24 will be competing in all 4 event finals, and Sarah Croxon '24 and Millie Steinmann '25 will compete in two each. We wish them all the best!